**MNI 5 THINGS: US December IP Up 0.3% Vs +0.1% Expected>

--5 Things We Learned From December Industrial Production Data

By Shikha Dave and Harrison Clarke

     WASHINGTON (MNI) - The following are the key points from the 

Industrial Production and Capacity Utilization data for December

released by the Federal Reserve Friday: 

     - Industrial production increased 0.3% in December vs a 0.1% gain 

expected, after a downward revision to November from a 0.6% gain to a 

0.4% gain, and an upward revision to October from a 0.2% decline to a 

0.2% gain. Outside of the increase in motor vehicle production, 

industrial production would have been up 0.1%. 

     - Manufacturing production was up 1.1% in the month on a 4.7% 

increase in motor vehicles and parts production. Outside of motor 

vehicles and parts, it was up 0.8%.  

     - Utilities production fell 6.3%, with the mix showing a 4.2% 

decrease in electricity production and a 17.5% decrease in natural gas 

production. 

     - Mining production posted an increase of 1.5% in December, 

following a downward revision to the November number from a 1.7% 

increase to a 1.1% increase.  

     - Capacity utilization came in at 78.7%, above the 78.4% expected. 

This followed an upward revision from 78.5% in November to 78.6%. 

Manufacturing capacity utilization rose by 0.7pp to 76.5%. 

     ** MNI Washington Bureau: 202-371-2121 ** 

[TOPICS: MAUDS$,M$U$$$,MAUDR$]