WASHINGTON - Industrial production unexpectedly decreased 0.1% in February as unseasonably warm weather pushed utility production lower, the Federal Reserve reported Thursday.
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January industrial production increased 0.3% in January, revised higher from a 0.1% decline reported last month.
Capacity utilization dipped to 76.3% in February from 76.4% in January.
Economists expected industrial production would increase 0.6% for the month and for capacity utilization to be 76.5%, according to the median estimate from Thomson Reuters.
Utility output fell 4.5% as warmer weather in February reduced demand for heating. Manufacturing output increased 0.4% in February. Consumer durable goods rose 2.4% for the month.
