Industrial Production Up 0.1%

Washington, DC, October 16, 2007--Industrial production rose 0.1% in September, restrained by a slump at automakers, according to a report from the Federal Reserve.

The increase in output at factories, mines and utilities matched expectations and followed no change in August. Capacity utilization held at 82.1 for a second month.

Declining sales and the strike against General Motors last month caused a slump in production of autos and parts. Growth overseas and a weaker dollar are boosting exports and may ensure the slowdown doesn't worsen.

Economists were expecting a gain of 0.1% in industrial production during the month.

Production at utilities was down 0.1%. Production of consumer durable goods, including automobiles, furniture and electronics, fell 1.4%.

Production of motor vehicles and parts declined 3.3%, the most since January. Manufacturing excluding vehicles and parts rose 0.3%.

Production of computers and peripheral equipment rose 0.9%.