Industrial Production Rose 1.0% in April, Largest Gain Since 2014

Washington, DC, May 16, 2017-Industrial production advanced 1.0% in April for its third consecutive monthly increase and its largest gain since February 2014, according to the Federal Reserve.

Manufacturing output rose 1.0% as a result of widespread increases among its major industries. The indexes for mining and utilities posted gains of 1.2% and 0.7%, respectively.

At 105.1% of its 2012 average, total industrial production in April was 2.2% above its year-earlier level.

Capacity utilization for the industrial sector increased 0.6 percentage point in April to 76.7%, a rate that is 3.2 percentage points below its long-run (1972–2016) average.