Total industrial production (IP) inched up 0.1 percent in February compared with the previous month. The modest increase in IP was led by a 7.3 percent increase in utilities production, which continued to benefit from frigid temperatures in some parts of the country. Manufacturing output fell for the third consecutive month, declining 0.2 percent. The decrease in manufacturing output may have been partially driven by severe winter weather conditions that slowed production at manufacturing plants. Most manufacturing industry groups showed some decline in production, with motor vehicles and parts falling 3.0 percent during the month of February. Mining output decreased 2.5 percent compared with the previous month. Oil and gas well drilling declined 17.3 percent in February, as the energy sector adjusted to sharply lower oil and natural gas prices. Total IP increased 3.5 percent year over year.
