Empire State Manufacturing Index

Decent retail sales prompted businesses to restock shelves and warehouses, as inventories rose a better-than-expected 0.6% in August. Meanwhile, manufacturing activity in the New York area unexpectedly jumped in October, a positive sign for the struggling recovery.

The Empire State Manufacturing Index is an early peek at more comprehensive reports coming later. And the August numbers are showing tell-tale signs that the U.S. factory sector wasn't immune to the country's slowing economic expansion.

A key manufacturing measure, the Empire State Manufacturing Index, declined about 11 points to 23.51 in November, but the reading still indicates that conditions are improving for manufacturers, the New York Federal Reserve announced Monday. Readings above zero indicate manufacturing activity is...