Washington, DC, November 17, 2005--Industrial production rose in October as output from factories, mines and utilities rose 0.9 percent, the fastest increase since May 2004, according to the Federal Reserve.
The increase came as many producers ramped up activity following recent hurricanes.
Economists were expecting an increase of 1 percent during the month.
Manufacturing production jumped 1.4 percent in October, the biggest gain since October 1999, boosted by aerospace output.
Businesses ran at an operating rate of 79.5 percent in October. Analysts were expecting capacity utilization at 79.4 percent.
Capacity utilization rose 0.6 percentage point in October to a level of 79.5% from a revised 78.9% in September, previously reported at 79.0%.
