Empire State Manufacturing Index surges in April

• April Empire State Manufacturing Index: +26.30 vs. +17.0 consensus and +17.4 prior.
• New Orders Index: +26.9 vs. +9.1 prior.
• Shipments Index: +25.0 vs.+21.2 prior.
• Number of employees index: +13.9 vs. +9.4 prior.
• "Input prices rose at the fastest pace since 2008, and selling prices climbed at a record-setting pace."
• The survey also said firms remained optimistic that conditions will improve over the next six months.