Industrial output rose 0.6 percent in March

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Output from U.S. factories, mines
and utilities rose 0.6 percent in March, slightly more than
expected, as capacity use reached its highest point in 5-1/2
years, the Federal Reserve said on Friday.

Capacity utilization, a measure of how close to full
potential factories, mines and utilities are running, rose to
81.3 percent from a downwardly revised 81.0 in February,
marking its highest level since reaching 81.5 percent in
September 2000.

The Fed said output from the nation’s mines rose 0.9
percent in March after falling 0.7 percent in February, while
manufacturing and utility output both gained 0.5 percent.

Wall Street analysts polled by Reuters had expected overall
March industrial production to rise 0.5 percent and capacity
use to reach 81.4 percent.