| According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond's recent survey, manufacturing activity in the Fifth District showed signs of improvement in September. The composite manufacturing index rebounded from -7 in August to 5 in September, marking the first positive reading since spring 2022. This improvement was reflected in all three component indexes, with shipments rising from -5 to 7, new orders increasing from -11 to 3, and employment climbing from -3 to 7. While the overall index level remained modest, these positive shifts indicate a positive trend in the region's manufacturing sector. Powered by Commodity Insights |