U.S. Industrial Production Rose 0.7% in Feb., Report Says

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.S. factories increased their output in February, rebounding from a decline the previous month, according to a report released Friday by the Federal Reserve.

The 0.7% increase in industrial production during February, the Fed said, driven by increased output by utilities and of consumer goods like computers, furniture and transportation equipment.

Economists had forecast a 0.8% increase, Bloomberg reported.

Manufacturing output, which accounts for about four-fifths of the index, was unchanged due mostly to declines in automobile and parts production, however overall durable goods production rose 0.2% during the month.

Non-durable goods output dipped 0.1% in February, the report said.

The share of industrial capacity in use rose to 81.2% from an 80.8% reading in January, the Fed said.

The factory sector is one of trucking’s largest and most important customers.