U.S. factory output rose most in a yearU.S. industrial production rebounded in December, reflecting gains in demand for business equipment, automobiles and construction materials. Output at factories, mines and utilities rose 0.4 percent after a revised 0.3 percent decline in November, figures from the Federal Reserve showed. Economists forecast a 0.5 percent rise for December, according to the median estimate in a Bloomberg News survey. Factory production, which makes up about 75 percent of total output, climbed by the most in a year.
Wholesale prices' decline a surpriseWholesale prices in the U.S. unexpectedly dropped in December, consistent with the Federal Reserve's assessment that inflation remains tame. The producer price index fell 0.1 percent, the second decrease in the past three months, Labor Department figures showed. Economists projected a 0.1 percent gain, according to the median estimate in a Bloomberg News survey. The core measure excluding volatile food and energy rose 0.3 percent as the cost of light trucks climbed.
AT&T raising rates for mobile data useAT&T Inc. will raise data-plan prices for smartphone and tablet users by $5 a month and increase the usage allotment on each offer to address a 40 percent increase in traffic. The nation's second-largest wireless operator will increase monthly fees Jan. 22, the company said. The revised charges, only for new customers, start at $20 for 300 megabytes, $30 for 3 gigabytes and $50 for 5 gigabytes. The previous plans offered 200 megabytes for $15, 2 gigabytes for $25 and 4 gigabytes for $45 a month.
FROM NEWS SERVICES
