Global Macro Perspectives
U.S. industrial production rose 1.0% in July. The consensus was at 0.5%, June revised reading at -0.1%. Capacity utilization rose to 74.8% in July vs. 74.1% in June and consensus of 74.6%. Chart 1. U.S. Industrial Production and Capacity Utilization
U.S. producer price index rose 0.2% in July, right at the consensus. June reading was at -0.5%. Food & energy taken out U.S. producer price index rose 0.3% in July. The consensus was at 0.1%, prior reading at 0.1%. Chart 1. U.S. Producer Price Indexes
U.S. housing starts in July rose 1.7% to 546.000 vs. revised (12.000 lower) 537.000 June reading. The consensus was at 560.000. Building permits in the same period rose 3.1% to 565.000. Chart 1. U.S. Housing Starts Chart 2. U.S. Building Permits