NY Fed Manufacturing Contracts In Sept, Lowest In 3-1/2 Years [View all]

[Purveyor]

(Reuters) - Factory activity in New York state contracted for a second month in a row in September, falling to its lowest level in nearly 3-1/2 years as new orders shrank further, a report from the New York Federal Reserve showed on Monday.

The New York Fed's "Empire State" general business conditions index dropped to minus 10.41, from minus 5.85 in August, frustrating economists' forecasts for an improvement to minus 2, according to a Reuters poll. It was the lowest level since April 2009.

The survey of manufacturing plants in the state is one of the earliest monthly guideposts to U.S. factory conditions. The sector contracted in August for the first time in 10 months.

A major contributor to the U.S. recovery as the economy emerged from recession, manufacturing has been faltering in recent months.

MORE...

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/17/us-usa-economy-nyfed-idUSBRE88G0O120120917?feedType=RSS&feedName=domesticNews