Manufacturing activity declined in New York State, according to the Empire State Manufacturing January survey. The diffusion index for General Business Conditions was fell nearly 15 points to -12.6. The latest reading was worse than the forecast of 2.7.
Background on the Empire State Manufacturing Survey
The Empire State Manufacturing Index rates the relative level of general business conditions in New York state. A level above 0.0 indicates improving conditions, and below indicates worsening conditions. The reading is compiled from a survey of about 200 manufacturers in New York state.
Here is the opening paragraph from the report.
Business activity declined in New York State in January, according to firms responding to the Empire State Manufacturing Survey. The headline general business conditions index fell fifteen points to -12.6. New orders fell modestly, and shipments were little changed. Delivery times were slightly longer, and supply availability was unchanged. Inventories grew slightly. Labor market indicators pointed to steady employment levels but a shorter average workweek. Both input and selling price increases picked up. Firms grew more optimistic that conditions would improve in the months ahead.
Below is a chart of the current conditions and its 3-month moving average, which helps clarify the trend for this extremely volatile indicator. The current 3-month moving average stands at 3.2, marking the third highest level since June 2022, surpassed only by the readings in November and December 2024.
Since this survey only goes back to July of 2001, we only have two complete business cycles with which to evaluate its usefulness as an indicator for the broader economy. Following the great recession, the index has slipped into contraction multiple times, as the general trend slowed. We saw a gradual decline in 2015 that rose back up in 2016, with a giant dip in 2020 due to COVID-19. The index quickly picked up again in 2021, declined for 2022, and gradually rose in 2023. The index kicked off 2024 with a sharp decline but rose during the back half of the year, reaching positive territory for the first time in over 2.5 years.
