Manufacturing, mining and auto production sectors post gains

U.S. industrial production climbed in June, reflecting advances in manufacturing, mining and auto production.

The U.S. Federal Reserve said today that output at the country’s factories, mines and utilities jumped by 0.8% last month following a gain of 0.1% in May.

The latest increase was stronger than expected; analysts had anticipated an increase of 0.4%.

The rise in production also marked a 4.5% increase over June 2005.

Production of autos and auto parts rose a robust 3.3% last month.

Mining production rose 1.2% and manufacturing gained 0.7% from the previous month, the figures showed.

The strength in industrial production in June also included a 1.7% rise in output of oil and natural gas.

May’s production was revised to a rise of 0.1% from a previous decline of the same amount.

The June increase put U.S. industry operating at 82.4% of capacity, up from a May operating rate of 81.8% of capacity.