U.S. industrial production rose a solid 0.4 per cent in August
by Josh Boak, The Associated Press
Industrial production appears on track for its strongest annual growth since 2010, according to the U.S. Federal Reserve
WASHINGTON – U.S. industrial production rose by a healthy 0.4 per cent in August, boosted by gains in the production of autos, oil and natural gas.
The Federal Reserve said Friday that industrial production, which includes output at factories, mines and utilities, has climbed 4.9 per cent over the past 12 months. Industrial production appears on track for its strongest annual growth since 2010, when it jumped 5.5 per cent as the economy began to recover from the Great Recession.
Factory production increased 0.2 per cent last month, lifted by a 4 per cent rise in the making of vehicles and parts. Automakers assembled vehicles at their strongest pace since April.
Still, factory production has slowed over the past two months as trade conflicts have weighed on the sector. The Trump administration is seeking to revamp the North American Free Trade Agreement with Mexico and Canada, has imposed tariffs on imported steel and aluminum and has slapped tariffs on goods from China and threatened to impose more.
Mining output posted a 0.7 per cent monthly gain in August. A sharp increase in the production of oil and natural gas has caused mining output to soar 14.1 per cent over the past 12 months. Increased oil and natural gas production can support factories that make pipelines, machinery and other equipment.
Production at utilizes advanced 1.2 per cent in August, powered by a surge in electricity usage during the hot month.
Other reports suggest that manufacturing is healthy, despite signs that its job growth is slowing. U.S. factories grew at a faster pace in August as American industry continues to show robust health.
The Institute for Supply Management said its manufacturing index jumped rose to 61.3 in August from 58.1 in July. Anything over 50 points toward expansion and economic growth. The manufacturing index has pointed toward growth for the past two years.
Still, job growth at U.S. factories has decelerated in recent months. Manufacturers added just 36,000 factory workers for the three months that ended in August, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s down from three-month gains of as many as 90,000 earlier this year.
