New York Manufacturing Reverses Higher

Washington, DC, Nov. 15, 2011 -- Manufacturing activity in New York state reversed course into positive territory in November, ending five straight months of contraction, according to the New York Federal Reserve.

The New York Fed's "Empire State" general business conditions index rose to 0.61, the first time the index has been in positive territory since May.

The reading the previous month was minus 8.48. Economists  had expected a reading of minus 2.1.\

The index of business conditions six months ahead jumped to plus 39.02 in November from plus 6.74 in October.