Washington, D.C., Jan. 17--According to the Federal Reserve's manufacturing index, U.S. industrial production rose 0.6 percent in December, the third consecutive month posting a gain. Meanwhile, industrial plant use rose 0.4 percent to 80.7 percent.
Factory output, measured along with output from utilities and mines, was 0,2 percent lower than last month, the report said, and the share of industrial capacity in use rose from 80.3 percent in November to 80.7 percent last month. December's tally was the highest since November, 2000.
Economists said the increased spending on machinery will help make up for an anticipated moderation in consumer spending.
