Economy

Empire State Manufacturing Index Drops in February

February 18, 2014

General business conditions fell 8 points in the February 2014 Empire State Manufacturing Survey after rising 10 points in January, but remained positive at 4.5. New orders were flat for the month, declining 11 points to -0.2. The shipment index dropped 13 points to 2.1. The inventory index fell to -5.0 indicating a slight drop in inventory levels.

The prices paid index fell 12 points to 25.0 after a sharp rise in January. The selling price index rose by 2 points while rising input prices slowed in pace during February. Employment levels picked up slightly in February along with a slight increase in hours worked per week.

Manufacturers remained optimistic about business conditions for the next six months. The future general business conditions index rose to 39.0 along with a six point increase for future new orders. The future prices paid index fell to 40.0 and future prices received held steady at 23.8.

New York manufacturers are not planning capital expenditure or technology spending in the next six months. Both indexes fell in February to 2.5 and 0.0, respectively.

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Empire State Manufacturing Survey is based on responses from approximately 100 manufacturing executives from a pool of 200 in New York State.