Business activity rose modestly in New York State in January, according to firms responding to the Empire State Manufacturing Survey. Alter dipping slightly below zero last month, the headline general business conditions index climbed eleven points to 7.7. New orders increased, and shipments grew at a solid pace. Delivery times were unchanged and inventories edged down, while supply availability worsened slightly. Employment and the average workweek both declined aller increasing over the prior two months. The pace of input price increases was little changed and remained elevated, while the pace of selling price ... (full story)