Industrial production increased 0.4% in November, according to the Federal Reserve. After having fallen 16.5% between February and April, the level of the index has risen to about 5% below its pre-pandemic (February) reading. In November, manufacturing output advanced 0.8% for its seventh consecutive monthly gain. An increase of 5.3% for motor vehicles and parts contributed significantly to the gain in factory production; excluding motor vehicles and parts, manufacturing output moved up 0.4%. The output of utilities declined 4.3%, as warmer-than-usual temperatures reduced the demand for heating. Mining production ... (full story)