The NY Empire State Manufacturing Index for the United States edged down in February 2026, pointing to a modest cooling in manufacturing conditions across New York State. The indicator slipped to 7.10 in February, compared with 7.70 in January 2026.
While still in positive territory—indicating overall expansion in the sector—the lower February reading suggests that growth momentum has eased slightly from the previous month. The index, a closely watched gauge of regional manufacturing health, was last updated on 17 February 2026. Investors and analysts may interpret the softening as a sign that factory activity remains resilient but is no longer accelerating at the pace seen at the start of the year.