US February Empire Fed 5.7 vs -1.0 expected

• Prior was -12.6

Business activity edged higher in New York State in February, according
to firms responding to the Empire State Manufacturing Survey. The
headline general business conditions index climbed eighteen points to
5.7.

New orders and shipments grew moderately. Delivery times were
slightly longer, and supply availability was slightly lower. Inventories
continued to expand modestly.

Employment levels moved lower. Input
prices increased at the fastest pace in nearly two years, and selling
price increases also ticked up noticeably. Though firms expect
conditions to improve over the next six months, optimism about the
outlook dropped significantly.

This article was written by Giuseppe Dellamotta at www.forexlive.com.