Industrial production increased in July

Industrial production increased by 0.6 percent last month, according to the Federal Reserve

Manufacturing output increased by 0.7 percent to 3.2 percent above its year-ago level, after falling 0.4 percent in each of the previous two months. Durable and nondurable manufacturing indices increased by 1.3 percent and 0.1 percent, respectively. 

Production of motor vehicles and parts increased by 6.6 percent, and factory output elsewhere increased by 0.3 percent. The index for mining increased 0.7 percent to nearly 8 percent above its year-earlier level, while the utilities index fell by 0.8 percent. 

Total industrial production, at nearly 105 percent of its average five years ago, was 3.9 percent above its year-earlier level. Capacity utilization inched up by 0.4 percent in July to 80.3 percent, 0.7 percentage points above its average from 1972-2021. 

Boosted by a strong gain for automotive products, the index for durable consumer goods increased 3.5 percent. The output of nondurable goods dropped 0.3 percent as the index for consumer energy products fell 1.5 percent.

 Business supplies, equipment and construction supplies all increased by less than 1 percent. Defense and space equipment increased by 1.5 percent. The output of non-energy materials increased 0.8 percent.