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Manufacturing · October 15, 2026 · 2 min read

New York manufacturing index rises to 25.5 as supply constraints worsen

By Econ Data Tools Editorial Team

Published October 15, 2026 • Updated October 15, 2026

Reviewed by Editorial QC

The October Empire State survey reports stronger orders and shipments but elevated price pressures. It is a regional diffusion survey, not a national output growth rate.

New York State manufacturing activity strengthened in October, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York's Empire State Manufacturing Survey released October 15. Its general business conditions index rose from 7.6 in September to 25.5, the highest reading since December 2021. The new-orders index increased to 23.2 and the shipments index rose to 13.1. These are seasonally adjusted diffusion indexes describing the balance of survey responses, not percentage growth rates for orders, shipments or total manufacturing output. Supply constraints remained visible. The unfilled-orders index reached 14.0 and delivery times registered 19.8. The supply-availability index fell to -15.1, its lowest level since June 2022, indicating worsening availability among respondents. The employment index was 10.3 and the average-workweek index was 9.1, consistent with modest employment growth and longer hours. Prices paid registered 59.5 and prices received 30.6. The report describes price increases as still elevated. The future business conditions index fell to 21.0 from 29.0. Respondents still expected improvement over six months, but optimism moderated. Future price indexes increased, while the report characterized capital-spending plans as modest. What to watch: responses were collected October 2-9 from New York manufacturers, so this is a regional, early-month survey rather than a nationwide census or a reading of every October development. The stronger activity balance and weaker supply availability should be read together, without treating the headline as a 25.5% production increase.

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