Implications: Industrial production rose for the fifth consecutive month in June, beating consensus expectations and signaling an uptick in activity across the board. The headline measure for industrial activity rose 0.4% in June and is now up 2% from a year ago. Manufacturing, which excludes mining and utilities, bounced back in June, rising 0.2%. This gain was primarily due to a 0.7% jump in the volatile auto sector, though "core" industrial production, which is manufacturing excluding autos, rose 0.1% as well. Manufacturing has begun to accelerate recently, up at a 3.2% annual rate in the past three months versus a gain of 1.2% in the past year. And this isn't just due to auto production either, both "core" and auto manufacturing are showing similar accelerating patterns in the past three months versus their year ago measures. Another major contribution to today's headline number came from mining which jumped 1.6% in June, and is now up at an 18.4% annual rate in the past three months versus 9.9% in the past year. Further, oil and gas-well drilling posted its thirteenth consecutive gain in June, jumping 6.9%, and is now up a massive 115% at an annual rate in the past three months. Based on other commodity prices, we think oil prices are below "fair value" range, but with oil companies profitable at current prices mining should stay in recovery after the problems of the past two years.
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Posted on Friday, July 14, 2017 @ 11:30 AM
Posts are prepared by First Trust Advisors L. P., and reflect the current opinion of the authors. They are based upon sources and data believed to be accurate and reliable. Opinions and forward looking statements expressed are subject to change without notice. This information does not constitute a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any security.