In October, the seasonally adjusted composite index of manufacturing activity — our broadest measure of manufacturing — was unchanged from September's reading of -6. Among the index's components, shipments lost four points to -6, while new orders gained twelve points to finish at -5 and the jobs index turned negative, moving down fourteen points to -7. Most other indicators also suggested continued weakness. The index for backlogs of orders rose eight points to finish at -15, and the capacity utilization indicator picked up seven points to -4. Additionally, the delivery times index turned positive, adding four points ... (full story)