US manufacturing output accelerates on auto production in April

WASHINGTON, May 15(Reuters) - U.S. factory production accelerated in April as motor vehicle output surged, suggesting underlying strength in manufacturing, though supply disruptions from the war with Iran are casting a shadow over the sector.

Manufacturing output increased 0.6% last month after an upwardly revised 0.1% gain in March, the Federal Reserve said on Friday. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast production at factories rebounding 0.2% after a previously reported 0.1% dip in March. Production at factories advanced 1.3% on a year-over-year basis in April. Motor vehicle output increased 3.7%.

(Reporting by Lucia Mutikani; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)

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This story was originally published May 15, 2026 at 6:38 AM.