Industrial output increased in October according to MarketWatch.
More on manufacturing: NAM Chief Economist Chad Moutray has some more data points:
“Overall, manufacturing production remained 4.8% below the pre-pandemic pace in February, with output in the sector continuing to rebound following the 20.1% decline experienced between February and April due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”“Manufacturing capacity utilization increased from 71.0% in September to 71.7% in October. This represents tremendous progress from the 60.1% rate in April, the lowest in the data’s history, which dates to January 1948. For comparison purposes relative to before the pandemic, it registered 75.2% in February.”
What it means: Manufacturing has been a driver of the economic recovery, and that growth appears to continue. Still, companies remain concerned about rising COVID-19 rates across the country, which could impact production and demand in the months ahead.