Regional manufacturing activity continued to grow in October, according to results from this month's Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey. The survey's broad indicators for general activity, new orders, shipments, and employment remained positive and near their readings in September. The firms reported continued growth in employment and an increase in the average workweek this month. Expectations for the next six months remained optimistic.

The diffusion index for current general activity edged down slightly, from 22.9 in September to 22.2 this month.