Manufacturing Output in U.S. Unexpectedly Declined in September

U.S. manufacturing production unexpectedly declined in September, the first decrease in five months, pointing to a setback for factories as the pandemic drags on.

The September decline underscores a softening in output at the end of a robust third quarter, as industrial production surged an annualized 39.8%. The figure nonetheless highlights a longer recovery period for factories amid supply chain disruptions, limited capital investment and weak export growth.

“Goods-producing industries have recovered faster than services, but activity wont be immune from softening as the broad economic recovery loses steam,” Oren Klachkin, lead U.S. economist at Oxford Economics, said in a note. “Notably, production of goods for which demand surged in the wake of the pandemic, namely computers and autos, are losing momentum.”

At the same time, a separate report Friday showed momentum in U.S. household demand at the end of the third quarter. Retail sales in September increased a stronger-than-forecast 1.9%.

The Feds report showed the drop in factory output reflected weakness in production of motor vehicles and electronics. Auto production decreased 4% after sliding 4.3% a month earlier, while output of computers and electronic products fell 2.6% in September. Manufacturing excluding autos was unchanged during the month.

October Data

A pair of regional Fed reports on Thursday showed that manufacturer orders gained momentum at the start of the fourth quarter.

The manufacturing plant-use rate decreased to 70.5%, well below the 75.2% in February prior to the business shutdowns, todays report showed. Total capacity utilization, which also includes mines and utilities, declined to 71.5% from a revised 72%.

The latest industrial plant-use rate remains below the 76.9% seen in February. Excess capacity weighs on corporate profits because capital is underutilized and it also signals business investment in new equipment will remain depressed and weigh on economic growth.

The Feds report showed utility output dropped 5.6%, while mining rose 1.7%, the first advance since January. Oil and gas well drilling increased 3.5%.