NY Manufacturing Activity Sees Strongest Rise in a Year

The NY Empire State Manufacturing Index in the US jumped to 7.7 in January 2026 from a revised -3.7 in December, beating forecasts of 1. The reading showed business activity in New York state rose modestly, as new orders increased (6.6 vs -1), and shipments grew at a solid pace (16.3 vs -5). Delivery times were unchanged (0.0 vs -5.9) and inventories edged down (-2.1 vs 4), while supply availability worsened slightly (-4.1 vs -6.9). Employment (-9 vs -7.5) and the average workweek (-5.4 vs 2.5) both declined after increasing over the prior two months. The pace of input price increases was little changed and remained elevated (42.8 vs 44.2), while the pace of selling price increases slowed to its lowest pace in nearly a year (14.4 vs 25.4). Meanwhile, capital spending plans grew modestly for a third consecutive month (10.3 vs 6.9) and firms remained fairly optimistic about the outlook, with half expecting conditions to improve over the next six months.

The NY Empire State Manufacturing Index in the US dropped to -3.9 in December, from a one-year high of 18.7 in November, and worse than forecasts of 10, signaling a return to contraction after two months of expansion. New orders held steady while shipments fell modestly, down 23 points to -5.7. The inventories index came in at 4.0, pointing to a small increase in inventories. Delivery times shortened, unfilled orders decreased, and supply availability worsened. Employment increased modestly and the average workweek edged up. The pace of both input price increases and selling price increases moderated but remained elevated. The prices paid index dropped 11 points to 37.6, its lowest level since January; and the prices received index dropped 4 points to 19.8. Capital spending plans increased somewhat. The index for future business conditions rose 17 points to a near one-year high of 35.7, suggesting firms have become more optimistic that conditions will improve over the next six months.

The NY Empire State Manufacturing Index in the US jumped to 18.7 in November 2025, the highest in a year, from 10.7 in October, and much better than forecasts of 6. The reading showed manufacturing activity grew at a solid pace in New York State, with new orders (15.9 vs 3.7) and shipments (16.8 vs 14.4) increasing significantly. Delivery times lengthened modestly (7.7 vs 3.9), and supply availability worsened somewhat (-11.5 vs -10.7) while inventories expanded (6.7 vs -1). Labor market indicators improved, pointing to a small increase in employment (6.6 vs 6.2) and a longer average workweek (7.7 vs -4.1). The pace of both input price increases (49 vs 52.4) and selling price increases slowed slightly (24 vs 27.2), but remained elevated. Meanwhile, firms expect conditions to improve, but optimism for the future dipped, with the index for future general business conditions declining to 19.1 from 30.3.