By Canadian Press

US factory production rose for 6th straight time in February

Mar 17, 2017 | 9:15 AM

WASHINGTON — U.S. factories cranked out more autos, steel and computers in February, the sixth straight monthly increase in manufacturing output.

Factory production rose a seasonally adjusted 0.5 per cent last month from January, the Federal Reserve said Friday . That followed another 0.5 per cent gain the previous month.

Factories are benefiting from greater consumer and business optimism since last fall’s presidential election. Companies are spending more on big-ticket items such as industrial machinery, and Americans are buying cars at near-record levels. Overseas growth has spurred more exports.

Mining output rose 2.7 per cent in February, spurred partly by more oil and gas drilling. Utility production plunged 5.7 per cent as unseasonably warm weather reduced the need for heating. Overall industrial production, which includes manufacturing, mining and utilities, was unchanged in February.

Factories are emerging from a rough patch that lasted from late 2015 through most of 2016. Sharply lower oil prices hammered demand for drilling equipment, such as steel pipe, and many businesses sold off excess stockpiles, reducing new orders for factory goods.

closing arguments

Crown refutes self-defence claims for Nanaimo woman on trial for murder/dismembering ex-boyfriend

33m ago

rental rules

Thousands of short-term rentals go back to long-term May 1: B.C. government

3h ago

sweet sounds

Nanaimo woman tries to coax trapped killer calf out of tidal lagoon with her violin

8h ago

A strong dollar, which makes U.S. products more expensive overseas, also weighed on exports and factory output for roughly the past two years. The currency’s value has levelled off more recently.

Other measures of manufacturing output also show solid gains. A survey of purchasing managers found that factory activity grew in February at the fastest pace in two years, spurred by rising orders, production and overseas demand.

Christopher S. Rugaber, The Associated Press