U.S. Factory Operating Rate Declines Again

The operating rate at the nation’s factories edged down again in June, the third consecutive monthly decline, the government reported Friday.

The Federal Reserve Board said U.S. factories, mines and utilities operated at 80.7% of capacity last month, a decline of 0.1 percentage point from the May level. Operating rates also fell 0.1 percentage point in April and May.

The total operating rate in June of 80.7% was 1.3 percentage point below the 1984 peak of 82% of capacity reached last July.

The U.S. manufacturing sector has shown weakness since that time as imports, helped by a strong dollar, have satisfied a growing share of U.S. demand.

Capacity utilization measures how much of the country’s available production facilities are being used.

The output at auto plants fell to 79.2% of capacity in June from 80.5% in May.