U.S. Manufacturing Production Increases by Most in 10 Months

U.S. factory production expanded in December by the most in 10 months, ending the year stronger than expected thanks to a surge in motor-vehicle output and gains across a range of other goods.

Manufacturing output rose 1.1 percent from the prior month after an upwardly revised 0.1 percent rise, Federal Reserve data showed Friday. The results exceeded all estimates of economists surveyed by Bloomberg. Total industrial production, which also includes mines and utilities, advanced 0.3 percent after a revised 0.4 percent increase.