The Federal Reserve reports that the industrial production total index rose to 97.0 in September, 0.4% higher than the 96.6 reading in August. Although not a huge increase, it is far better than the 1.4% decline that was seen the month prior. The index is now up 2.8% year over year, unchanged from August.
Capacity utilization for total industry rose to 78.3%, from 78.0% the month prior. This rate is 2.0% below its long-run (1972–2011) average.
