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Monday, April 18, 2016

March 2016 Industrial Production, Capacity Utilization and Capacity

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Total industrial production (IP) decreased 0.6% in March for a second month in a row (-0.1% expected). For 1Q2016 as a whole, IP fell at an annual rate of 2.2%. A substantial portion of the overall March decrease resulted from declines in the indexes for mining and utilities, which fell 2.9% and 1.2%, respectively; in addition, manufacturing output fell 0.3%. The sizable decrease in mining production continued the industry's recent downward trajectory; the index has fallen in each of the past seven months, at an average pace of 1.6% per month. At 103.4% of its 2012 average, total IP in March was 2.0% below its year-earlier level.
Industry Groups
Manufacturing output decreased 0.3% in March. The production of durables moved down 0.4% (Wood Products: -1.0%). The largest declines, about 1.5%, were registered both by motor vehicles and parts and by electrical equipment, appliances, and components. Several industries posted increases, with the largest, nearly 1%, for computer and electronic products. After increasing 0.9% in January and decreasing 0.5% in February, the output of nondurable manufacturing edged down in March (Paper: -0.6%), as gains in the production of petroleum and coal products and of chemicals nearly offset declines for most other industries. The output of other manufacturing (publishing and logging) fell almost 1%. For the first quarter, manufacturing output moved up at an annual rate of 0.6%, roughly reversing its small decrease in the fourth quarter of last year.
The drop of almost 3% in mining output was its largest monthly loss since September 2008, when production was curtailed because of hurricanes. The decline reflected substantial cutbacks in coal mining and in oil and gas well drilling and servicing, as well as decreases in oil and natural gas extraction. The index for mining has fallen nearly 13% over the past 12 months. The index for utilities moved down again, primarily because of a drop of 4.6% for natural gas utilities. 
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Capacity utilization (CU) for the industrial sector decreased 0.6% (to 74.8%), a rate that is 5.2 percentage points below its long-run (1972–2015) average.
Manufacturing CU fell 0.3% to 75.1%, a rate that is 3.4 percentage points below its long-run average. The operating rates for durables, nondurables, and other manufacturing (publishing and logging) each decreased. The operating rates for both mining and utilities dropped to 73.7%, the lowest rates over the histories of these series. Wood Products fell 1.3% and Paper -0.5%.Click image for larger version
Capacity utilization (CU) for the industrial sector decreased 0.6% (to 74.8%), a rate that is 5.2 percentage points below its long-run (1972–2015) average.
Manufacturing CU fell 0.3% to 75.1%, a rate that is 3.4 percentage points below its long-run average. The operating rates for durables, nondurables, and other manufacturing (publishing and logging) each decreased. The operating rates for both mining and utilities dropped to 73.7%, the lowest rates over the histories of these series. Wood Products fell 1.3% and Paper -0.5%. 
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Capacity at the all-industries level was unchanged (+1.2% YoY) at 138.1% of 2012 output. Manufacturing edged up +0.1% (+1.0% YoY) to 137.4%. Wood Products extended the upward trend that has been ongoing since November 2013 when increasing by 0.3% (+4.6% YoY) to 164.7%. Paper edged down 0.1% (-0.5% YoY) to 117.3%.
The foregoing comments represent the general economic views and analysis of Delphi Advisors, and are provided solely for the purpose of information, instruction and discourse. They do not constitute a solicitation or recommendation regarding any investment.

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