Capacity Utilization measures the percentage of an economy's total productive capacity that is currently being used by industries such as manufacturing, mining, and utilities. It provides insight into the overall health of the industrial sector and the degree of slack in the economy. High utilization rates, typically above 82-85%, can signal supply constraints and potential inflationary pressures. Conversely, low utilization suggests economic weakness and a lack of demand.
The rate is calculated as the ratio of the Industrial Production Index to an index of full-capacity output. The Federal Reserve estimates capacity based on surveys of plant operations and capital investment data.
| Date | Actual | Forecast | Surprise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 17, 2026 | 4.10 | 0.30 | +3.80 |
| Jul 14, 2026 | 0.10 | 0.90 | -0.80 |
| Jun 12, 2026 | -0.80 | 2.00 | -2.80 |
| May 19, 2026 | -1.20 | 0.30 | -1.50 |
| Apr 14, 2026 | -0.10 | 1.00 | -1.10 |
| Mar 19, 2026 | 2.90 | 1.10 | +1.80 |
| Feb 16, 2026 | 1.30 | 3.00 | -1.70 |
| Jan 19, 2026 | -5.30 | 0.80 | -6.10 |
| Dec 12, 2025 | 3.30 | 0.50 | +2.80 |
| Nov 17, 2025 | 2.50 | 1.00 | +1.50 |
| Oct 15, 2025 | -2.30 | 0.70 | -3.00 |
| Sep 12, 2025 | -1.10 | 1.00 | -2.10 |
| Aug 15, 2025 | -1.80 | 0.20 | -2.00 |
| Jul 14, 2025 | 2.00 | 0.50 | +1.50 |
| Jun 13, 2025 | 1.30 | -0.50 | +1.80 |
| May 16, 2025 | -2.40 | 0.30 | -2.70 |
| Apr 14, 2025 | -1.10 | -0.60 | -0.50 |
| Mar 19, 2025 | 4.50 | 0.40 | +4.10 |
| Feb 17, 2025 | -0.20 | 0.50 | -0.70 |
| Jan 20, 2025 | -1.90 | 0.20 | -2.10 |
| Dec 13, 2024 | 2.60 | 1.00 | +1.60 |
| Nov 15, 2024 | 4.40 | 2.30 | +2.10 |
| Oct 15, 2024 | -5.30 | -1.30 | -4.00 |
| Sep 13, 2024 | 2.50 | 0.90 | +1.60 |
| Aug 15, 2024 | -3.10 | 0.40 | -3.50 |
| Jul 12, 2024 | 4.10 | 0.20 | +3.90 |
| Jun 14, 2024 | 0.30 | -0.20 | +0.50 |
| May 16, 2024 | 1.30 | 0.20 | +1.10 |
| Apr 12, 2024 | -0.50 | -0.20 | -0.30 |
| Mar 19, 2024 | -7.90 | -0.20 | -7.70 |
| Feb 15, 2024 | -0.10 | 0.40 | -0.50 |
| Jan 18, 2024 | 0.30 | -0.40 | +0.70 |
| Dec 14, 2023 | 1.50 | 0.60 | +0.90 |
| Nov 15, 2023 | 0.40 | 0.40 | 0.00 |
| Oct 16, 2023 | 0.50 | -0.80 | +1.30 |
| Sep 14, 2023 | -2.20 | 1.40 | -3.60 |
| Aug 15, 2023 | 3.80 | -1.60 | +5.40 |
| Jul 14, 2023 | -6.30 | -2.50 | -3.80 |
| Jun 20, 2023 | 3.00 | 0.30 | +2.70 |
| May 17, 2023 | 0.80 | 1.30 | -0.50 |
| Apr 19, 2023 | 3.90 | 4.00 | -0.10 |
| Mar 16, 2023 | -5.50 | -1.90 | -3.60 |
| Feb 14, 2023 | -1.10 | -0.20 | -0.90 |
| Jan 18, 2023 | -1.40 | -0.70 | -0.70 |
| Dec 14, 2022 | 2.20 | 0.30 | +1.90 |
| Nov 15, 2022 | -0.40 | 0.50 | -0.90 |
| Oct 17, 2022 | 1.20 | 1.30 | -0.10 |
| Sep 14, 2022 | 2.40 | 1.10 | +1.30 |
| Aug 15, 2022 | 9.60 | 8.00 | +1.60 |
| Jul 14, 2022 | -9.20 | -0.50 | -8.70 |
