3:40 AM MYT
HOUSTON, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia on Thursday reported that regional manufacturing activity continued to grow in January.
According to the January Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey, the current indicators for general activity, new orders, and shipments increased notably this month and remained positive for the eighth consecutive month. The survey's future indexes remained at high readings and continue to indicate that firms expect growth over the next six months.
The diffusion index for current activity increased from a revised reading of 9.1 in December to 26.5 in January.
The percentage of firms reporting increases this month exceeded the percentage reporting decreases.