by Calculated Risk on 3/17/2014 08:37:00 AM

From the NY Fed: Empire State Manufacturing Survey

The March 2014 Empire State Manufacturing Survey indicates that business conditions continued to improve for New York manufacturers, though activity grew slowly. At 5.6, the general business conditions index was little changed from last month. [up from 4.5] ...

The new orders index climbed three points to 3.1, pointing to a slight increase in orders. ...

Labor market conditions continued to improve. The employment index fell five points but, at 5.9, indicated a small increase in employment levels. The average workweek index, holding steady at 4.7, pointed to a small increase in hours worked.
emphasis added

This is the first of the regional surveys for March.  The general business conditions index was close to the consensus forecast of a reading of 6.5, and indicates slightly faster expansion in March than in February.