A slump in motor vehicle production pushed down U.S. factory output unexpectedly in July, Federal Reserve data showed last Thursday.

HIGHLIGHTS OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION (JULY)

Factory output dropped 0.1% (est. 0.2% gain) after 0.2% gain

Total industrial production, which also includes mines and utilities, increased 0.2% (est. 0.3% rise) after a 0.4% rise

Manufacturing output minus motor vehicles rose 0.2%, reflecting a pickup in non-durable goods production

Key Takeaways

Automobile production fell 3.6 percent in July, the fourth decline in the last five months. That reflected a slowdown in sales that were a bright spot for the economy in recent years. While factory production excluding automobiles increased, the data showed some other areas of softness. Output of business equipment and construction materials dropped for the second time in three months.

While manufacturing is projected to continue to grow, an acceleration in the near term would require bigger gains in household demand, business investment and stronger global sales.

The monthly data, which are volatile and often get revised, contrast with other recent reports. While the Institute for Supply Management’s factory index eased in July from the second-highest level since 2011, it showed steady growth in production, orders and employment. The latest Empire State Manufacturing survey for August also posted a strong gain.

The Fed said the data were inadvertently posted early on its website. The report was scheduled for release at 9:15 a.m. in Washington.

Economist View

“Recent national ISM survey data point to much improved conditions in the manufacturing sector (as do the less reliable regional indices), ” Joshua Shapiro, chief U.S. economist at Maria Fiorini Ramirez Inc., wrote after the report. “We expect the underlying trend of reported output to gradually accelerate in the months ahead, although ongoing inventory adjustment in the automotive sector will continue to weigh.”

Other Details

Capacity utilization, measuring the amount of a plant that is in use, held at 76.7 percent (matching est.)

Utility output increased 1.6 percent after falling 1.2 percent the prior month

Mining production rose 0.5 percent; oil and gas well drilling decreased 0.9 percent

Production of consumer goods increased 0.2 percent, reflecting a 0.8 percent advance in the output of non-durables including chemicals and food

Output of business equipment fell 0.5 percent, while production of construction materials dropped 0.4 percent

Source: Bloomberg