Industrial Production Index
Returns the U.S. industrial production index, which measures real output from manufacturing, mining, and electric and gas utilities.
Data Details
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Source | Federal Reserve Board / FRED |
| Frequency | Monthly |
| Base Period | 2017 = 100 |
| Coverage | Manufacturing, mining, utilities |
Notes
- Key indicator of economic health and business cycle
- Often used alongside capacity utilization to gauge economic slack
- Seasonally adjusted
Examples
Current industrial production index
=IndustrialProduction()/100-1Compare to capacity
When to Use
- Tracking manufacturing sector health
- Analyzing business cycle conditions
- Economic research and forecasting
- Assessing industrial activity trends
When NOT to Use
| Scenario | Use Instead |
|---|---|
| Need capacity utilization | CapacityUtilisation() |
| Need inventory levels | Inventories() |
| Need manufacturing orders | ManufactureOrdersDurables() |
| Need employment data | EmployeesNonfarm() |
Common Issues & FAQ
Q: What is the base year? A: 2017 = 100.
Q: What industries are covered? A: Manufacturing, mining, and electric and gas utilities.
Q: How often is it updated? A: Monthly, usually around the middle of the month.
