Industrial Production Rises by Most in Three Months

Industrial production rose by 0.7% in February, the most in three months, the Federal Reserve said Friday.

The gain in output at factories, mines and utilities followed an unchanged reading in January that was originally reported as a 0.1% dip.

The reading topped economists’ median forecast, Bloomberg News reported.

Manufacturing, which makes up about three-quarters of the total, rose 0.8% after falling 0.4% in December.

Output of motor vehicles and parts rose 3.6% after falling 4.9% the prior month.

Capacity utilization, which measures plant output, increased to 79.6% from 79.2% in January.

Manufacturing accounts for about 12% of the U.S. economy. The factory sector is one of trucking’s largest and most important customers.