Data from the latest US Federal Reserve industrial production report puts an end to the recent run of strong economic data and calls into question the upward trend previously seen in the factory sector.
Industrial production rose by just 0.2 percent, less than the 0.3 percent economists had anticipated. Manufacturing output contracted by 0.1 percent while capacity utilization was recorded at 76.6%, in line with expectations.
Manufacturing output was dragged down by a continuous decline in motor vehicles, falling by 3.6 percent in the month of July.
Business equipment fell by 0.5 percent and construction supplies fell by o.4 percent. These decreases were partially offset by gains in consumer goods,
