New York manufacturing index rises back into positive territory in November

The Empire State Manufacturing Survey general business-conditions index climbed 14 points to 4.5 in November.

The index had declined eight points to -9.1 in October. The general business-conditions index is the monthly gauge of New York’s manufacturing sector.

The November reading — based on firms responding to the survey — indicates business activity “edged slightly higher” in New York state, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said in its Tuesday report.

A positive index number indicates expansion or growth in manufacturing activity, while a negative reading shows a decline in the sector.

The survey found that 33 percent of respondents reported that conditions had improved over the month, while 29 percent said that conditions had worsened, per the New York Fed.

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York distributes the Empire State Manufacturing Survey on the first day of each month to the same pool of about 200 manufacturing executives in New York. On average, about 100 executives return responses.