Industrial Output Up Scant 0.2%

U.S. industrial production rose a slight 0.2% in April following two months of consecutive declines, the government reported today.

The Federal Reserve Board said the slight show of strength came after sharp drops of 0.7% in March and 0.8% in February. The gain was led by increases in auto production, with autos assembled at an annual rate of 8.1 million units last month, up from a production rate of 7.7 million units in March.