Survey: Minn. manufacturing in slump

A gauge of economic activity among Minnesota's manufacturers continued to languish in October.

October was the fourth straight month in which the Minnesota Business Conditions index registered a pull-back in the state's manufacturing sector. The index hovered around 47 last month. Readings below 50 suggest economic contraction in the coming months.

Non-durable goods producers, especially food processors, are showing particular weakness, according to the survey produced by Creighton University.

The survey indicates the manufacturing sector will shed jobs at a slight pace in the months ahead.

The overall Mid-America index, which includes eight other Midwestern states, is pointing to a slowdown in manufacturing activity in the next three to six months.

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