MOTORS HUM: Strong demand for new cars and trucks led U.S. factories to increase their output for the fifth straight month in January. Vehicle and part factories produced 3 percent more goods than they did in December.
OTHERS, SOME: Without autos, factory production edged up a modest 0.1 percent. Business equipment makers and chemical companies showed gains, while production of construction materials decreased.
ENERGY GLUM: Overall industrial production edged down 0.1 percent, its first decline in 19 months. The factory gains were more than offset by lower output by energy companies, which extracted less crude oil; and utilities, whose output declined after a weather-related spike in December.
