MW: Industrial output rises for 1st time since Oct.
By Rex Nutting
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) - Led by a resurgent auto sector, U.S. industrial output rose in July for the first time since October, the Federal Reserve reported Friday. The seasonally adjusted output of the nation's factories, mines and utilities increased 0.5% in July after a 0.4% decline in June. Output is down 13.1% in the past year. It was only the second increase in industrial production since the recession began in December 2007. Capacity utilization increased to 68.5% from a record-low 68.1% in June. The gain in industrial output in July was entirely due to increased motor vehicle production, which jumped 20.1%.
