Industrial output rises strongly, fueling recovery

By JEANNINE AVERSA
ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON — Industrial production logged a stronger-than-expected gain in April, more evidence that manufacturing is playing a lead role in powering the economic recovery.

The 0.8 percent increase in output at the nation's factories, mines and utilities reported by the Federal Reserve on Friday marked an improvement from the 0.2 percent rise registered in March. It was the best showing since a 1.2 percent jump in January. The performance of the industrial sector in April was even stronger than the 0.6 percent gain that economists were predicting.

Factories — the single biggest slice of industrial activity — ratcheted up production by a brisk 1 percent for the second straight month, the Fed reported.