The Empire State Index of General Business Conditions in manufacturing gave back all of its November rise with a 3.53 point decline to 23.13 in December. The decline was, however, less than Consensus expectations for a decline to 18.0. The figures are reported by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Since the series' inception in 2001 there has been a 75% correlation between the index level and the three month change in U.S. factory sector industrial production.

The employment showed the sharpest decline to it lowest level in three months but new orders and shipments rose. The inventory index fell sharply to the lowest in four months, indicating decumulation.

Like the Philadelphia Fed Index of General Business Conditions, the Empire State Business Conditions Index reflects answers to an independent survey question; it is not a weighted combination of the components.

Pricing pressure reversed all of its prior month's improvement and fell to lowest level since August of last year. Since 2001 there has been an 88% correlation between the index of prices paid and the three month change in the core intermediate materials PPI.

The Empire State index of expected business conditions in six months rose for the second month to the highest level since January.

The Empire State Manufacturing Survey is a monthly survey of manufacturers in New York State conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Participants from across the state in a variety of industries respond to a questionnaire and report the change in a variety of indicators from the previous month. Respondents also state the likely direction of these same indicators six months ahead. April 2002 is the first report, although survey data date back to July 2001.

For more on the Empire State Manufacturing Survey, including methodologies and the latest report, click here.