Industrial production fell in July

Industrial production edged down 0.1 percent last month amid weaker output in mining and utilities, according to the Federal Reserve. Despite the decrease, industrial production was still 1.4 percent higher than its year-ago mark..Mining activity fell 0.4 percent last month but remained 1.9 percent above year-ago levels. Utilities output dipped 0.2 percent, as lower electricity generation outweighed gains in natural gas production.Manufacturing output was flat for the month after rising 0.3 percent in June, but remained 1.4 percent higher than a year earlier. The index of nondurable consumer goods edged up 0.1 percent as the production amid increases in the index for chemical products and nondurable energy consumer goods.Durable goods production rose 0.3 percent, led by gains in electrical equipment, aerospace and furniture. Primary metals, machinery, and motor vehicles and parts indexes declined. Nondurable goods output slipped 0.4 percent, with decreases across every major category.At 104 percent of its 2017 average, total industrial production was 1.4 percent higher than its year-earlier mark, according to the report. Industrial capacity utilization edged down to 77.5 percent, which is still 2.1 percentage points under its long-term average. Manufacturing capacity utilization also ticked lower, dropping to 77.5 percent — 2.1 percentage points under its long-run average. Manufacturing capacity utilization eased to 76.8 percent, while mining fell to 90.3 percent and utilities to 70 percent.