Industry Hits 82.1% of Capacity

American industry operated at 82.1% of capacity in December, the highest operating rate in more than seven years, the government reported today.

The Federal Reserve Board said the operating rate at U.S. factories, mines and utilities edged up 0.1 percentage point from the November level of 82%. The operating rate is now at its highest rate since March, 1980, when American industry operated at 83.7% of capacity.