Federal Reserve Reports Promising Signs of Economic Recovery
On Wednesday, news broke that industrial output rose for a seventh straight month and home construction hit a six-month peak in January. The news has sparked hope that the economy can sustain its recovery. The Federal Reserve report showed gains in manufacturing, mining and utilities, the first collective show of strength since August. Manufacturing output rose 1 percent, led by a nearly 5 percent gain in auto production. A separate sign of strength came in a Commerce Department report on housing construction: home building posted a better-than-expected increase last month. Construction rose 2.8 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate…