For the fourth month in a row, manufacturing activity in New York State was essentially flat according to the July 2015 Empire State Manufacturing Survey by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The current business conditions index came in at a tepid 3.9, albeit a slight improvement from -2.0 in June (readings above zero indicate expansion, below zero indicate contraction). Constituent indices for New Orders, Shipments, Unfilled Orders, Inventories and Number of Employees were all down versus June. The Future Business Conditions Index also edged up, but remains well below 2014 levels. See the full report here: 2015_07Report