WASHINGTON -- Production by U.S. manufacturing, mining and utilities industries increased 0.4 percent in April, the fourth straight monthly rise, boosted in part by automakers seeking to keep up with demand.
In its monthly report on industrial production, the U.S. Federal Reserve Board also noted that the use of the nation’s industrial capacity rose slightly to 75.5 percent, from a revised 75.3 percent in March. March production also was revised downward, to a 0.4 percent gain from the previously reported 0.7 percent gain.