WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- Conditions for manufacturing in the New York region improved slightly in June, the New York Federal Reserve Bank said Tuesday. The bank's Empire State Manufacturing index edged higher to 19.6 in June from 19.1 in May, remaining solidly in positive growth territory but off the high of 31.9 in April. New orders and shipments moved higher in June. Inventory levels remained near zero. The prices paid index fell sharply. The index for the number of employees also declined but remained in positive territory. The survey found less optimism among manufacturers in the region. The Empire State index is of interest to investors and economists primarily because it's seen as an early indicator of what the Institute for Supply Management's June national factory survey due out in two weeks may show. In May, the ISM manufacturing index eased very slightly to 59.7 from a near six-year high of 60.4 in April