Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Economic Watch: Industrial Production Falls, Consumers Optimistic

A report released Friday shows industrial production in the U.S. fell for the second consecutive month, the latest confirmation the economy lost some ground in the third quarter of the year.

Evan Lockridge
Evan LockridgeFormer Business Contributing Editor
Read Evan's Posts
October 19, 2015
Economic Watch: Industrial Production Falls, Consumers Optimistic

 

2 min to read


A report released Friday shows industrial production in the U.S. fell for the second consecutive month, the latest confirmation the economy lost some ground in the third quarter of the year.

This measure by the Federal Reserve of the total output at the nation’s factories, mines and utilities declined 0.2% in September from the month before. The August was revised, showing a 0.1% drop, smaller than the first reported 0.4% drop

Ad Loading...

September manufacturing output moved down 0.1% for a second consecutive monthly decrease. The index for mining fell 2%, while the index for utilities rose 1.3%.

For the third quarter as a whole, total industrial production rose at an annual rate of 1.8%, and manufacturing output increased 2.5%. A strong gain for motor vehicles and parts contributed substantially to the quarterly increases, according to the report.

Total industrial production in September was 0.4% above its year-earlier level.

Capacity utilization for the industrial sector fell 0.3 percentage point in September to 77.5%, a rate that is 2.6 percentage points below 1972–2014 average.

“Industrial production has failed to expand for much of the 2015 largely due to declines in mining output, reflecting the impact of lower energy prices, with only modest gains in the manufacturing sector,” said Josh Nye, economist at RBC Economics. “A strong U.S. dollar and weaker energy sector activity will likely remain a headwind for manufacturing, though strong domestic demand outside of energy should allow for continued output growth.”

Ad Loading...

Meantime, a separate report shows fears about the economy expressed on Wall Street do not extend to Maine Street.

The University of Michigan Survey of Consumers posted a gain of around 5.5% this month from last month’s final results in its measures of consumer sentiment, current economic conditions and consumers’ expectations. Results were also positive when compared to the same time last year.

“Personal financial expectations rose to their highest level since 2007, as did consumers' views toward purchases of durable goods,” said Richard Curtain, survey chief economist Richard Curtin. “While consumers anticipate a continued economic expansion, many expected strong headwinds from falling commodity prices, weakened economies in China and elsewhere as well as continued stresses on European countries."

He said “perhaps the most important finding is that low inflation and continued job growth have enabled consumers to adapt to a slower and more variable rate of economic growth by varying the pace of their spending without losing confidence that the expansion will continue.”

More Fleet Management

Illustration of phishing email with trucks in background
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseFebruary 3, 2026

New Phishing Scheme Targets Motor Carriers, FMCSA Warns

Beware of a new phishing scheme targeting motor carriers. Scammers are sending emails posing as FMCSA or DOT officials to steal data.

Read More →
Daimler-Class8 partnership.
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseFebruary 2, 2026

DTNA Partners with Class8 to Expand Digital Services for Freightliner Owner-Operators

A new partnership brings free wireless ELD service plus load optimization and dispatch planning tools to fourth- and fifth-generation Freightliner Cascadia customers, with broader model availability planned through 2026.

Read More →
SponsoredFebruary 1, 2026

Reducing Fleet Downtime with Advanced Diagnostics

This white paper examines how advanced commercial vehicle diagnostics can significantly reduce fleet downtime as heavy duty vehicles become more complex. It shows how Autel’s CV diagnostic tools enable in-house troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and faster repairs, helping fleets cut emissions-related downtime, reduce dealer dependence, and improve overall vehicle uptime and operating costs.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
SponsoredFebruary 1, 2026

Stop Watching Footage, Start Driving Results

6 intelligent dashcam tactics to improve safety and boost ROI

Read More →
M&A illustration with Werner and FirstFleet logos
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 29, 2026

Werner Expands Dedicated Fleet Nearly 50% With FirstFleet Acquisition

The $283 million acquisition of FirstFleet makes Werner the fifth-largest dedicated carrier and pushes more than half of its revenue into contract freight.

Read More →
Bobit Business Media B2X Rewards.
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseJanuary 29, 2026

Bobit Business Media Launches B2X Rewards Engagement Program

B2X Rewards is a new, gamified rewards program aimed at driving deeper engagement across BBM’s digital platforms, newsletters, events, and TheFleetSource.com.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Trucking Trends series graphic
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 29, 2026

AI is Reshaping Trucking in 2026, from the Back Office to the Shop

Trucking’s biggest technology shifts in 2026 have one thing in common: artificial intelligence.

Read More →
Column graphic illustration with Deborah Lockridge head shot and a small fleet truck in the background
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 27, 2026

Why Small Trucking Fleets Are Still Standing [Commentary]

Why discipline, relationships, and focus have mattered more than size for smaller trucking fleets during the freight recession.

Read More →
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 23, 2026

Cargo Theft Is Surging. A Bill in Congress Could Help. [Video]

Cargo theft losses hit $725 million last year. In this HDT Talks Trucking Short Take video, Scott Cornell explains how a bill moving in Congress could bring federal tracking, enforcement, and prosecutions to help address the problem.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
CargoNet infographic showing 2025 cargo theft trends
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 22, 2026

Cargo Theft Losses Jump 60% in 2025 as Criminals Target Higher-Value Freight

Cargo theft activity across North America held relatively steady in 2025 — but the financial damage did not, as ever-more-sophisticated organized criminal groups shifted their cargo theft focus to higher-value shipments.

Read More →