US Industrial Production Has Biggest Drop in 8 Months

PAUL WISEMAN, AP Economics Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. industrial production dropped sharply in November, mainly because power plants reduced output due to unusually warm weather.

The Federal Reserve reported Wednesday that output at America’s factories, mines and utilities fell 0.4 percent last month. It was another sign that American industry is struggling even as the overall U.S. economy looks healthy. The Federal Reserve is confident enough to be considering an interest rate hike later in the day.

The output of consumer energy products fell 4.5 percent, as an increase in consumer fuels was outweighed by a drop in residential utilities. Construction supplies recorded an increase of 0.7 percent.

Utility output plunged 4.4 percent, following a 2.8 percent downturn in October. A warm fall meant Americans used less heat.

Factory output slipped 0.1 percent. A drop in auto production, which is volatile month to month, offset increased output elsewhere.

Mining production rose 1.1 percent despite a steep drop in output at coal mines.

“Beyond the disappointing headline, the general improving trend in mining and manufacturing should justify this afternoon’s broadly expected Fed move,” Jennifer Lee, senior economist at BMO Capital Markets, said in a research note.

Still, industrial production has now dropped three of the last four months and has fallen 0.6 percent in the past year. November’s drop was steeper than economists had expected.

American industry has been hurt by a strong dollar, which makes U.S. goods costlier in foreign markets. Factory production is up just 0.1 percent over the past year.

Energy companies have slashed production in the face of low oil prices. That is why mining output is down 4.6 percent since November 2015 despite the uptick last month.

Mines have shed 87,000 jobs over the past year, and factories have lost 54,000.

For the full article from the Federal Reserve, click here.

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