By Allison Prang

Manufacturing activity in the broader Philadelphia area expanded more slowly this month, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey.

The survey's diffusion index for general activity was 5.6, down 6 points from September, according to the Philly Fed. It said the shipments index fell, the new orders index rose and the employment index climbed 17 points. The average workweek index fell and so did the prices paid index and the prices received index.

The future general activity diffusion index rose to 33.8, 13 points higher. The Philly Fed said that more than 43% of firms think activity over the next six months will expand. The future indexes for capital spending, new orders and shipments all rose and the future employment index decreased.

Write to Allison Prang at allison.prang@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

October 17, 2019 09:34 ET (13:34 GMT)