industrial production

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.

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.

German exports fell in July, suggesting that Europe's largest economy may be slowing after record growth in the second quarter. Exports, adjusted for working days and seasonal changes, fell 1.5% from June, Bloomberg News reported. A survey of economists by Bloomberg News had forecast unchanged...

The less-than-expected durable good orders gain in July is more evidence that economic growth slowed in summer. This will likely increase pressure on the Fed for action to jump-start a U.S. economy that's operating well below potential.

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 1% increase eases worries that activity in the sector that's so far led the recovery is slowing. The July increase was led by strong performances in the manufacturing and mining segments, while utility output cooled off.

The Federal Reserve's latest Beige Book data confirms what other recent economic reports have suggested: The U.S. economic recovery slowed somewhat in the second quarter, with some regions reporting stalled conditions.

One nation industrial and two regional surveys released this week provided further evidence that the U.S. economic recovery weakened somewhat in the second quarter, as manufacturing growth slowed.

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.