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Manufacturing growth in New York state fell this month, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said Monday.

The regional Fed’s “Empire State Index,” generally the first economic indicator in a given month, dropped to 10.3 from 27.4 in November. Readings above zero indicate expansion.

The level was well below economists’ forecasts of a decline to a 20 reading, Bloomberg reported.

The survey’s new orders index fell to 14.3 from 24.5, the Fed said.

Manufacturing is one of trucking’s largest and most important customers.