The index for mining fell 1.1 percent in November, with much of this decrease attributable to sizable declines for coal mining and for oil and gas well drilling and servicing.
The index for utilities dropped 4.3 percent, as unusually warm weather held down the demand for heating.
Manufacturing output was unchanged in November, as the output of nondurable goods gained 0.5 percent, but the production of durable goods declined 0.2 percent and the index for other manufacturing industries (publishing and logging) moved down 1.7 percent. Most nondurable goods industries recorded increases, with the largest gain posted by the food, beverage, and tobacco products category. Among durable goods industries, losses of 1.0 percent or more were recorded by primary metals; electrical equipment, appliances, and components; and motor vehicles and parts. The production of nonmetallic mineral products increased 1.2 percent for the largest gain among durables.
At 106.5 percent of its 2012 average, total industrial production in November was 1.2 percent below its year-earlier level. Capacity utilization for the industrial sector declined 0.5 percentage point in November to 77.0 percent, a rate that is 3.1 percentage points below its long-run average.
