A report released by the Federal Reserve on Friday showed industrial production in the U.S. increased by more than expected in the month of January.
The Fed said industrial production climbed by 0.5 percent in January after jumping by an upwardly revised 1.0 percent in December.
The bigger than expected increase by industrial production reflected a 7.2 percent spike by utilities output, as cold temperatures boosted the demand for heating.
Meanwhile, the Fed said mining output slumped by 1.2 percent and manufacturing output edged down by 0.1 percent amid a 5.2 percent plunge by motor vehicles and parts production.
The report also said capacity utilization in the industrial sector rose to 77.8 percent In January from a downwardly revised 77.5 percent in December.
Capacity utilization in the utilities sector surged to 75.7 percent, while capacity utilization in the mining and manufacturing sectors dipped to 89.5 percent and 76.3 percent, respectively.