Manufacturing Improves in New York State

New York, NY, Dec. 15, 2010 -- Manufacturing conditions in New York state improved in December after a difficult November, according to the The Empire State manufacturing survey.

The reading stood at 10.6, recovering nearly 22 points after a negative reading in November, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported.

Economists had expected a 3 reading.

In December, the new orders and shipments subcomponents returned to positive territory, while the unfilled orders index remained negative, the New York Fed said.

The future prices paid survey index rose 18 points to 58.0, indicating respondents expected input prices to climb. That’s the highest reading since 2008.