U.S. Manufacturing Output Rises-Again
Output at U.S. manufacturers rose in October, marking the second such monthly increase in a row. Industry experts hope this is a sign the industry is gradually recovering. Production at factories accounts for 75% of all output, and saw an increase of 0.2 percent for a second month, according to a Federal Reserve report showed. Warmer temperatures led to a drop in utility use, resulting in little change to total industrial production, which also includes mining. Factories are benefiting from steady household spending growth at the same time the drag on industrial output from the oil sector wanes as prices recover and drillers employ more rigs. However, a bigger boost to manufacturing is unlikely without stronger export markets and more domestic business investment. Read more at Bloomberg.