capacity utilization

A rising stock market next year is becoming an article of faith. But beneath the bullish sheen of several positive reports, many other key indicators are bearish or neutral. Investors might want to balance the widespread confidence by looking at these eight.

Manufacturing activity in the mid-Atlantic region unexpectedly surged in November. The Philly Fed's Business Outlook Survey index jumped to 22.5 in November from 1 in October, its highest reading since December 2009.

The nation%u2019s manufacturing recovery accelerated in October as factory output jumped 0.5%, the Federal Reserve said. Overall industrial output was flat in the month, but the typical autumn plunge in utilities output skewed the top-line stat lower.

It's the first decline since June 2009. Still, despite the dip, the nation's industrial sector remains in an uptrend, and a weaker dollar may further boost international sales of key U.S. companies in the months ahead.

Factories continue to show signs of sustainable economic growth, as industrial production rose 0.2% in August.

Statistics published this week by the Federal Reserve suggest the outlook for the U.S. economy remains bright. However, if you compare them side-by-side, the statistics paint a less encouraging picture that suggests tough times ahead.

The nation%u2019s industrial sector remains definitively in recovery mode, with production rising 1.2% in May -- its 10th increase in the last 11 months. Among the highlights of the across-the-board monthly gains: Vehicle manufacturing rose 10% and utilities output jumped 4.8.

Production at U.S. factories, mines and utilities rose 0.8 percent in November -- the biggest gain in three months. Further, it was broad-based, with all groups and sectors, except for utilities, registering increases.

The recovery in the industrial sector continues, albeit at a mild pace, as output at U.S. factories, mines, and utilities rose just 0.1% in October, following a 0.7% rise in September, the U.S. Federal Reserve announced Tuesday. Further, most sectors registered declines in October, with the...

These are some scary low U.S. factory numbers. Output at U.S. factories declined 1.5 percent in March, the U.S. Federal Reserve announced Wednesday, as the nation's industrial sector continued to contract amid what is rapidly becoming the United State's worst recession since World War II. Further,...