Growth in regional manufacturing activity slowed in August, according to results from this month's Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey. All the broad indicators remained positive but fell from their readings in July. The survey's respondents continued to indicate price increases for purchased inputs and their own manufactured products, but these price indexes moderated slightly this month. Expectations for the next six months remained optimistic, with most broad future indicators showing improvement.The diffusion index for current general activity decreased 14 points this month to 11.9, its lowest reading in 21 months.