by Calculated Risk on 2/14/2025 09:15:00 AM

From the Fed: Industrial Production and Capacity Utilization

Industrial production (IP) increased 0.5 percent in January after moving up 1.0 percent in December. In January, gains in the output of aircraft and parts contributed 0.2 percentage point to total IP growth following the earlier resolution of a work stoppage at a major aircraft manufacturer. Manufacturing output declined 0.1 percent in January, held down by a 5.2 percent decrease in the index for motor vehicles and parts. The index for mining fell 1.2 percent, while the index for utilities jumped 7.2 percent, as cold temperatures boosted the demand for heating. At 103.5 percent of its 2017 average, total IP in January was 2.0 percent above its year-earlier level. Capacity utilization stepped up to 77.8 percent, a rate that is 1.8 percentage points below its long-run (1972–2024) average.
emphasis added

Click on graph for larger image.

This graph shows Capacity Utilization. This series is up from the record low set in April 2020, and close to the level in February 2020 (pre-pandemic).

Capacity utilization at 77.8% is 1.8% below the average from 1972 to 2023.  This was above consensus expectations.

Note: y-axis doesn't start at zero to better show the change.

The second graph shows industrial production since 1967.

Industrial production increased to 103.5. This is above the pre-pandemic level.

Industrial production was above consensus expectations.

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