U.S. Industrial Production Rises 0.7% in September as Manufacturing Returns to Growth

U.S. industrial production advanced in September, with manufacturing returning to growth and utility output recording the largest increase among the reported sectors, while capacity utilization also moved higher.

The overall measure rose 0.7% from August, after the prior month’s gain was revised to 0.1% from 0.0%. Production increased at a 2.8% annual rate during the third quarter.

Manufacturing output rose 0.3% in September after a revised 0.2% decline in August. That earlier drop was initially reported as 0.3%. Mining output increased 0.2%, and utilities advanced 3.5%.

Capacity utilization reached 76.9%, compared with 76.4% in August. The August figure was revised upward from 76.3%.

The September results put manufacturing, mining and utilities in positive territory for the month alongside the overall production increase. Manufacturing’s gain followed a decline in August, while the prior month’s total production and capacity-utilization readings were both revised higher.