NY Manufacturing Activity Stalls in March

The NY Empire State Manufacturing Index in the US fell to -0.2 in March 2026 from 7.1 in February, well below forecasts of 3.2. The reading showed that manufacturing activity held steady in the New York State in March. New orders increased modestly (6.4 vs 5.8), while shipments declined (-6.9 vs -1). Unfilled orders rose (10.8 vs 9.1), delivery times lengthened (13.7 vs 4), and supply availability was slightly worse (-3.9 vs -1). Also, inventories increased (6.9 vs 7.1), employment rose modestly (5.8 vs 4) and the average workweek edged up (1.9 vs 2.1). The pace of input price increases declined significantly but remained elevated (36.6 vs 49.1), while the pace of selling price increases was little changed (21.4 vs 22.2). Meanwhile, firms remained optimistic that conditions would improve in the months ahead (31 vs 34.7), and capital spending plans strengthened (21.6 vs 18.2).

The NY Empire State Manufacturing Index fell to 7.1 in February 2026 from 7.7 in January, compared to forecasts of 7. Still, the reading showed that manufacturing activity continued to expand modestly in New York State and firms remained optimistic that conditions would continue to improve, with employment expected to grow. New orders increased (5.8 vs 6.6), while shipments held steady (-1 vs 16.3). Unfilled orders rose (9.1 vs -8.2) and delivery times were slightly longer (4 vs 0). Inventories increased somewhat (7.1 vs -2.1), while supply availability held steady (-1 vs -4.1). Employment (4 vs -9) and the average workweek (2.1 vs -5.4) increased slightly after falling last month. The pace of input price increases (49.1 vs 42.8) and selling price increases (22.2 vs 14.4) picked up. Capital spending plans strengthened (18.2 vs 10.3).

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.