Submitted by CARPE DIEM

According to the Federal Reserve’s report today, total industrial production in November 2007 was 2.1% above its level in November of last year (see chart above). This was also the highest output growth since the first quarter of 2007 (March), and marks the 51st consecutive increase in year-to-year growth in Industrial Production (June 2003 was the last month of negative growth).

On a quarterly basis, industrial output in the fourth quarter is matching growth in the second and third quarters, when GDP growth was 3.8% and 4.9%. The current estimates of real GDP growth in the fourth quarter of 1.5% might turn out to be too low, given the contuining strength in manufacturing output.

Bottom Line: Given the continued robust growth in both real output and retail sales into the fourth quarter, the economy appears to remain on solid ground, and the economic expansion is on track to continue well into 2008.

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