Factory output edges higher in March

Washington

FACTORY output barely climbed in March, buoyed by a rebound in car making as other industries retreated, indicating a strong US dollar and cheap oil are hurting American manufacturing.

The 0.1 per cent gain in manufacturing was the first advance in four months and followed a 0.2 per cent February decrease, a Federal Reserve report showed on Wednesday in Washington. Total industrial production declined more than projected as utility use dropped by the most in nine years. Manufacturers are taking a hit as a stronger US dollar and soft global markets depress exports and oil companies pare operations amid a plunge in fuel prices. Car sales remain a bright spot as consumers benefit from an improving job market and low interest rates, a sign that assembly lines will keep running.