THE ECONOMY

Capacity Utilization Declines: The Federal Reserve said the operating rate of the nation’s factories, mines and utilities slipped two-tenths of a percentage point, down to 79.6%. It was the lowest level since last June’s similar 79.6%. The weak news suggests more factory layoffs could be coming in the midst of a faltering economic recovery, analysts said. In another report, the Commerce Department said businesses increased their inventories by 0.6% in September, the first advance in eight months and the largest in more than a year.