Manufacturing activity in the region weakened overall, according to the firms responding to the May Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey. The survey’s indicators for general activity, new orders, and shipments all fell sharply this month. The employment index ticked up but remained negative, continuing to suggest overall declines in employment. Both price indexes declined this month but remained elevated. The firms continue to expect overall growth over the next six months, and most future indicators rose this month from already elevated readings. The diffusion index for current general activity fell from 26.7 in ... (full story)