Factory Output Fell 0.4 Percent in May as Car Sales Slump

U.S. factory output fell last month as manufacturers cranked out fewer cars, computers and semiconductors, a sign that economic growth remains sluggish.

Factory production slipped 0.4 percent in May, after a big 1.1 percent gain the previous month, the Federal Reserve said Thursday. Manufacturing output has largely been flat since February, but is up 1.4 percent in the past year.

Overall industrial production, which includes mining and utilities, was unchanged in May. Mining activity posted a large gain for the second straight month, rising 1.6 percent. Much of that increase has been driven by greater oil and gas drilling. Utility production rose 0.4 percent.

U.S. manufacturing has shown some signs of life this year after almost no growth in 2015 and 2016. Businesses are investing more in industrial machinery and developers are building more homes, lifting output of construction supplies.

Yet Americans are buying fewer cars, after sales reached record levels last year. They have now fallen for five straight months. Automakers responded by slicing output 2 percent in May. General Motors said Wednesday that it would extend a summer shutdown in at least two Midwestern factories to five weeks from the traditional two weeks. Automakers typically close factories in the summer to prepare for the production of new models.

Other recent reports also suggest the economy is experiencing the same modest growth pace of about 2 percent that has persisted since the recession ended eight years ago.

Sales at retail stores and restaurants fell in May by the most in 16 months, the Commerce Department said Wednesday, as Americans sharply cut back their spending on electronics and at department stores.

The economy is forecast to grow at a roughly 3 percent annual pace in the current April-June quarter, after tepid growth of just 1.2 percent in the first quarter. But that increase likely reflects a bounce back from the first quarter’s weakness and isn’t expected to be sustained.

The Federal Reserve said Wednesday that it expects growth will be 2.2 percent for all of 2017.