Capacity Utilisation
Returns the percentage of industrial capacity currently in use, sourced from the Federal Reserve.
Data Source
Federal Reserve Statistical Release G.17 - Industrial Production and Capacity Utilization.
Usage Notes
- No parameters required
- Returns a percentage value (e.g., 78.5 means 78.5% of capacity in use)
- Data updated monthly
- Key indicator of economic slack and inflationary pressures
Economic Interpretation
| Utilization Rate | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| < 75% | Significant slack, deflationary pressure |
| 75-80% | Normal range |
| > 80% | Economy running hot, inflationary pressure |
| > 85% | Capacity constraints, strong inflation risk |
Examples
Current capacity utilization rate (%)
When to Use
- Analyzing industrial production efficiency
- Forecasting inflationary pressures
- Assessing economic slack
- Building macroeconomic dashboards
When NOT to Use
| Scenario | Use Instead |
|---|---|
| Need production output | IndustrialProduction() |
| Need durable goods orders | ManufactureOrdersDurables() |
| Need inventory data | Inventories() |
Common Issues & FAQ
Q: What is a normal capacity utilization rate? A: The long-term average is around 77-80%. Rates above 82% often signal inflationary pressure.
Q: Does this include all industries? A: This covers manufacturing, mining, and utilities - total industrial capacity.
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