While the Federal Reserve Bank of New York released a report on Friday showing that business conditions for New York manufacturers continued to improve in August, the bank said the improvement was less widespread than in the previous month. The New York Fed said its general business conditions index dropped to 14.7 in August from 25.6 in July, although a positive reading continues to indicate an increase in regional manufacturing activity. The index has been expected to dip to a reading of 20.0.