U.S. factory production increased by the most in 11 months in January, offering hope for a manufacturing sector that has been squeezed by import tariffs and high interest rates. Manufacturing output rose 0.6% last month, the largest gain since February 2025, after being unchanged in December, the Federal Reserve said on Wednesday. Economists polled by Reuters ​had forecast production for the sector, which accounts for 10.1% of the economy, would rise 0.4%. Output in December was previously reported to have risen 0.2%. Production at factories advanced 2.4% on a year-over-year basis in January. Manufacturing has been ... (full story)