U.S. manufacturing output grows modestly, hit by auto decline

U.S. manufacturing output rose modestly in January and not at all in December, potentially worrisome signs for the U.S. economy given the recent strength in the dollar and weaker overseas markets. Factory output edged up 0.2 percent last month, the Federal Reserve said on Wednesday. Total factory output was dragged lower by a 0.6 percent drop in auto output.