United States : Industrial Production
Released on 8/14/2009 8:15:00 AM For July, 2009
Market Consensus Before Announcement
Industrial production fell "only" 0.4 percent in June, following a revised 1.2 percent drop in May. Notably, the important manufacturing component also fell at a less rapid pace, decreasing 0.6 percent after dropping 1.1 percent in May. Overall capacity utilization in June dropped to another record low, declining to 68.0 percent in June from a revised 68.2 percent in May. Looking ahead, the early indicators are mixed. The ISM manufacturing index, Philly Fed index, and Empire State index remain a little below breakeven for July. However, aggregate production hours rose 0.4 percent for manufacturing in July-indicating that at least the manufacturing component of industrial production will be moderately positive. A rebound in motor vehicle employment for July also suggests a boost in motor vehicle production and almost guarantees a rebound in industrial production.
Definition
The index of industrial production is available nationally by market and industry groupings. The major groupings are comprised of final products (such as consumer goods, business equipment and construction supplies), intermediate products and materials. The industry groupings are manufacturing (further subdivided into durable and nondurable goods), mining and utilities. The capacity utilization rate -- reflecting the resource utilization of the nation's output facilities -- is available for the same market and industry groupings.
Industrial production was also revised to NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) in the early 2000s. Unlike other economic series that lost much historical data prior to 1992, the Federal Reserve Board was able to reconstruction historical data that go back more than 30 years. Why Investors Care
The industrial sector accounts for less than 20 percent of GDP. Yet, it creates much of the cyclical variability in the economy.
The capacity utilization rate reflects the limits to operating the nation's factories, mines and utilities. In the past, supply bottlenecks created inflationary pressures as the utilization rate hit 84 to 85 percent.
