10:44 AM EDT, 03/25/2024 (MT Newswires) -- The Dallas Federal Reserve's monthly manufacturing index declined to a reading of minus 14.4 in March from minus 11.3 in February, compared with expectations for a slight decrease to a reading of minus 11.5 in a survey compiled by Bloomberg as of 7:45 am ET.

The index still indicates contraction, which is in line with the Empire State manufacturing reading but in contrast with the readings from Philadelphia Fed and S&P Global that indicated expansion.

For Dallas, there were decreases in the readings for production, new orders, shipments and employment, though the employment reading remained positive. The reading for prices paid increased.

The reading for the company outlook fell to minus 16.2 from minus 8.5 in February.