Durable Goods Production Growth Accelerates

(Positive) The durable goods industrial production index was 106.6 in March 2017. This was the highest level for the index since June 2015 and the second highest since October 2014. In March, the index grew 2.2 percent compared with one year ago, which was the fastest rate of growth since January 2015. March was the seventh month in a row and the eighth in the last 10 months that the index grew. While the rates of change generally have been small, the rate of growth has accelerated the last five months. The annual rate of growth accelerated for the third straight month to its fastest rate of growth since August 2015. 

We track industrial production and its leading indicators for a number of industries. Click on the links below to see how each industry is faring.

Accelerating Growth: appliances, automotive, custom processors, durable goods, electronics/computers/telecommunications, food/beverage, HVAC, machinery/equipment, plastic/rubber products, wood/paper 

Decelerating Growth: construction materials, medical, petrochemical processors, textiles/clothing/leather goods

Accelerating Contraction: aerospace, furniture, printing,  

Decelerating Contraction: forming/fabricating (non-auto), hardware, industrial motors/hydraulics/mechanical components, metalcutting job shops, military, off-road/construction machinery, oil/gas-field/mining machinery, power generation, primary metals, pumps/valves/plumbing, ship/boat building