Factory Output Rises on Truck, Airplane Demand

WASHINGTON -- Factory output rose for a third straight month in September, a sign the economy is growing slowly. Manufacturers made more airplanes, trucks and home electronics to meet rising demand.

The Federal Reserve says factory output increased 0.4 percent in September after gaining 0.3 percent in August. Production of business equipment rose 1 percent, the third straight increase of 1 percent or more. Transit equipment and information processing equipment drove the gain.
Auto output increased for a third straight month, home electronics production for a fifth.

Overall industrial production edged up 0.2 percent. It was unchanged in August. Utility output decreased sharply, while mines continued to produce more.

Industrial production is has increased 12.8 percent since June 2009. It remains 5.8 percent below its recent peak, reached in September 2007.

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