Daily Roundup of Key US Economic Data for Sept. 18

02:47 PM EDT, 09/18/2026 (MT Newswires) -- August industrial production held steady after a 0.2% gain in July, with manufacturing production down 0.3% overall and down 0.2% excluding a 1.2% drop in motor vehicle and parts production. Utilities output rose by 1.8% on a large increase in electricity production that was partially offset by a decline in natural gas production. Mining production increased by 0.1%. The index of leading indicators fell by 0.1% in August after a 0.2% gain in July, with negative contributions from four components, led by a large drop in business conditions expectations, and positive contributions from four components, particularly stocks and the interest rate spread. State unemployment data for August showed lower unemployment rates in eight states and Washington, DC, with steady rates elsewhere. The Q3 GDPnow estimate from the New York Fed is for a 2.33% gain, up from a 2.26% increase in the previous estimate.