Manufacturing activity in the region expanded overall this month, according to the firms responding to the February Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey. The current general activity and new orders indexes remained somewhat elevated; however, the shipments index declined to a near-zero reading. The employment index suggests mostly steady employment overall but dipped into negative territory. Both price indexes continued to suggest overall price increases. Expectations for growth over the next six months were more widespread. The diffusion index for current general activity increased 4 points to 16.3 in February, its ... (full story)