Manufacturing in New York state slides again in October

WASHINGTON — Manufacturing in New York state contracted for the third straight month in October.

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York says its Empire State index slid to a reading of minus 6.8 this month, lowest since May and down from a minus 2 reading in September. Anything below zero signals contraction. Economists had expected the survey to show growth this month.

New orders, shipments and employment all fell this month, but at a slower pace than they did in September.

Prices paid and received by manufacturers grew modestly.