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September 14, 2005 9:30 AM, EDT

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roduction at U.S. factories, mines and utilities rose a less-than-expected 0.1% in August, the Federal Reserve said Wednesday.

The increase followed a 0.1% increase in July. Economists had forecast a 0.3% rise in August industrial production, Bloomberg reported.

Next month’s industrial production figures, for September, will include the full impact of Hurricane Katrina, which struck on Aug. 29, Bloomberg said.

Manufacturing, which accounts for about 90% of industrial production, rose 0.3% following a 0.1% gain. The factory sector is one of trucking’s largest and most important customers.

Electricity production fell 0.6% following a 0.7% gain in July.