U.S. industrial production falls 0.2 percent in Sept.
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By DANIEL WAGNER, AP Business Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - Industrial production fell in September for the first time since June 2009, and weak consumer demand led factories to pull back for the second time in four months.
The Federal Reserve reports that output at the nation's factories, mines and utilities dropped 0.2 percent last month.
Output by manufacturers, the largest element of industrial production, also fell 0.2 percent. Production of construction and consumer goods dropped as high unemployment made Americans reluctant to spend.
Manufacturing has helped drive economic growth as businesses restocked and replaced worn-out equipment. September's decline could slow that trend. Without consumer demand to take up the slack, industry can't maintain its strong growth.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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