U.S. industrial production slowed in August, rising just 0.1%, the Federal Reserve said today. Economist had expected a gain of 0.5%.

The small rise in industrial activity followed a sizable 0.6% gain in July.

Industrial output in August was restrained by declines in production at mines and utilities.

Mining production dropped by 1.1%, compared with a 1.3% gain in July. Output at utilities declined by 2.4%, following a two% decline.

At the country’s factories, however, output rose 0.5% in August, following a 0.9% advance the previous month.

Meanwhile, businesses saw their inventories rise in July as sales picked up, according to the Commerce Department.

It said that stocks of unsold goods increased 0.9% in July, down from a 1.1% rise in June. Sales, meanwhile, rose by 0.6% in July – three times the 0.2% increase registered in the previous month.