02:23 PM EST, 12/17/2024 (MT Newswires) -- US industrial production fell for the third consecutive month in November, even though the manufacturing category returned to growth, data from the Federal Reserve showed Tuesday.

Industrial output fell 0.1% last month following a 0.4% drop in October. The consensus was for a 0.3% increase in a survey compiled by Bloomberg. Annually, industrial production declined 0.9% in November.

Manufacturing output edged up 0.2% last month, following a 0.7% drop the previous month. The index for durable manufacturing gained 0.7% after declining the previous two months, according to the Fed's report. Nondurables slid 0.3% in November and has been down in four of the last five months.

Within durables, motor vehicle and parts output jumped 3.5% on a monthly basis while machinery gained 2.1%. Aerospace and miscellaneous transportation equipment output declined 2.6%, which the Fed said was largely because of declines in aircraft parts. The Boeing ( BA ) labor strike came to an end early in November.

"US manufacturers continue to struggle, and industrial production continued to backslide in November," said Scott Anderson, the chief US economist of BMO. "The Boeing ( BA ) strike and hurricanes both helped push industrial production lower in recent months, but the strong dollar and weakness abroad are also likely important factors."

Nondurable production was pushed down by declines in apparel and leather output, petroleum and coal products, and paper.

Mining output fell 0.9% last month, accelerating its decline from October's 0.1% dip. Utilities output dropped 1.3% in November, compared with a 1.3% increase in the previous month, reflecting lower electric and natural gas production.

Retail sales rose at a faster-than-projected pace in November due largely to spending on autos, the Census Bureau said Tuesday.

Price: 173.95, Change: +0.78, Percent Change: +0.45