Factory Output in U.S. Rises Most in Six Months: Economy

Factory production rose in February by the most in six months, showing manufacturing will help the U.S. economy emerge from a weather-related setback.

The 0.8 percent gain exceeded the highest estimate in a Bloomberg survey and followed a revised 0.9 percent slump in January, figures from the Federal Reserve in Washington showed today. The pickup contrasts with the housing industry, where another report showed builder sentiment rose less than forecast in March.