Industrial Output in U.S. Unchanged as Utility Use Drops

Manufacturers in the U.S. boosted production in May for the first time in three months, signaling the worst of the industrial slump is over.

Factory output climbed 0.1 percent after dropping 0.4 percent in April and 0.3 percent in March, according to Federal Reserve data issued today in Washington. Another report showed consumer sentiment declined this month from a six-year high.