The latest U.S. industrial report showed production of consumer goods moved up 0.3% in November—a gain that reflected an increase in the output of durable goods. Among consumer durables, the indexes for automotive products and for appliances, furniture, and carpeting moved up, while the index for home electronics fell for the 10th month in a row.
Following is a breakdown by industry group:
Manufacturing output increased 1.1 % in November after having edged down 0.2 % in October. Meanwhile, capacity utilization for manufacturing increased 0.8 percentage point to 68.4%. The index for durable goods increased 1.0%, and robust gains were posted for nonmetallic mineral products, primary metals, motor vehicles and parts, and furniture and related products. Assemblies of motor vehicles moved up 200,000 units in November to 7.2 million units (annual rate).
Among other durable goods categories, production of wood products, machinery, computer and electronic products, and miscellaneous goods also increased in November, while production of fabricated metal products, electrical equipment, appliances and components, as well as aerospace and miscellaneous transportation equipment decreased.
In the nondurable goods category, production rose 1.1 % in November. Gains of more than 1% were registered for the majority of nondurable goods categories, including textile and product mills, paper, printing and support, petroleum and coal products, chemicals, and plastics and rubber products. Production of food, beverage, and tobacco products slipped 0.2%, and the output of apparel and leather edged up 0.1%. Production in the non-NAICS manufacturing industries—logging and publishing—rose 2.1%. The full November U.S. industrial production report is available from the Federal Reserve.