Graph of the Day: Capacity Utilization, 1967-2009

From Calculated Risk:

How about this headline from Rex Nutting at MarketWatch: Biggest drop in industrial output since VE Day

Industrial production is down 13.3% since the recession began in December 2007, the largest percentage decline since the end of World War II. … Factory output has fallen 15.7% during the recession, also the largest decline since 1945-1946.

Here is some serious cliff diving. Also – since capacity utilization is at a record low (the series starts in 1967), there is little reason for investment in new production facilities. …

Industrial Production Declines Sharply in March