Manufacturing sluggish, but growing in Philly area By Rex Nutting The manufacturing sector is growing sluggishly in the Philadelphia region, the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia said Thursday. Its monthly business index rose to 2.3 in September from -3.1 in August. Positive readings indicate expansion. New orders rose to 5.6 from -2.7. Shipments rose to 10.6 from -3.3. Expectations rose to 46.9% from 41.6%. "Overall manufacturing conditions remain sluggish in the region," the bank's economists said.
