Industrial production in the nation was up 0.2% in July while capacity utilization rose to 79.9, according to data released by the Federal Reserve Board Friday.
The rise in production followed a 0.4% increase the previous month, originally reported as a 0.5% rise, while June capacity use was a revised 79.8, originally reported as 79.9.
IFR Markets had forecast a flat reading for production, and a 79.8% level for capacity utilization.
Manufacturing output gained 0.4% in July and was boosted by a rise of 3.6% in the production of motor vehicles and parts.
Excluding motor vehicles and parts, the index for manufacturing increased 0.2%. The output of mines moved up 0.9%, while the output of utilities contracted 1.9%.
At 111.8% of its 2002 average, total industrial production was 0.1% below its level of a year earlier. In July, the capacity utilization rate for total industry edged up to 79.9%, a level 1.1 percentage points below its average for 1972-2007.
