July US industrial production up 0.6 pct

16 Aug 2012, 8:03 pm   -   Source: AAP
Industrial production in the US rose 0.6 per cent in July, says the Federal Reserve. (AAP)

Industrial production in the US rose 0.6 per cent in July, says the Federal Reserve. (AAP)

Industrial production in the US rose 0.6 per cent in July, says the Federal Reserve.

US factories made more cars, computers and aeroplanes last month, a hopeful sign that manufacturing is recovering after a weak spring.

Industrial production, which includes output at factories, mines and utilities increased 0.6 per cent in July from June, the fourth straight monthly increase, the Federal Reserve reported on Wednesday.

Factory output, the most important component of industrial production, rose 0.5 per cent, the second straight increase. Factory output has risen 21.9 per cent since its recession low hit in June 2009 and is just 1.7 per cent below the pre-recession peak for factory output reached in April 2007.

Mining output, which includes oil and gas production as well as coal mining, increased 1.2 per cent in July. Utility output rose 1.3 per cent, largely because of hot weather in many parts of the country.

Manufacturing helped lift the economy out of the Great Recession three years ago. But it has slowed this spring as consumers cut back on spending and businesses invested less in machinery and equipment. Some worry that manufacturing could weaken further in coming months if Europe's financial crisis and slower global growth cut demand for US exports.

Adding to those worries on Thursday was a survey from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York that showed manufacturing conditions in the New York region shrank in August. The Empire State index fell to -5.9, down from a reading of 7.4 in July.

Still, analysts noted that the growth in US factory output in July and June suggests the spring slowdown in manufacturing may be temporary. July's increase was led by a 3.3 per cent surge in output of motor vehicles and parts. Production of computers and primary metals such as steel also showed big gains.

The economy remains weak. US manufacturing activity shrank in June and July, according to a survey by the Institute for Supply Management. June was the first time the survey showed manufacturing contracted in three years.

Economic growth slowed to an annual rate of 1.5 per cent in the April-June quarter, down from 2.0 per cent in the January-March quarter and 4.1 per cent in the final three months of 2011.

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