Industrial Production Rises 0.1% in August

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ndustrial production in the United States rose 0.1% in August, while the proportion of industrial capacity in use remained unchanged at 77.3%, the Federal Reserve reported Wednesday.

The increase in production at the nation's factories, mines, and utilities followed July's revised 0.6% increase. Economists expected production to rise 0.5%, Bloomberg reported.

Work at factories, which accounts for almost 90% of industrial production, rose 0.5% in August after a 0.9% rise the month before. Automakers increased output of motor vehicles and parts by 3.8% in August, the Fed said.

The manufacturing sector is one of trucking’s largest and most important customers, and when it is growing, the demand for trucking services generally rises.

The Fed report also said electric and gas utility production "fell significantly," while mine production fell 1.1%.