factory production

U.S. factory production slumped for a second month in February, missing forecasts for a pickup, indicating headwinds from the trade war to slower global growth are weighing on manufacturers. Still, the prior month’s drop was revised up.

American factories powered up in June at the fastest pace in nearly three years with robust advances in production, orders and employment that indicate a firming in the economy, data from the Institute for Supply Management showed July 3.

Factory production rose in February for a second month, boosted by demand for business equipment and indicating U.S. manufacturing may be starting to stabilize.

Factory production rose more than economists forecast in July on record automobile assembly, indicating American manufacturing is regaining its footing after a slowdown.