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Data from FMP. Forecasts by Sigmanomics Forecast Engine.
United StatesUS Capacity Utilization climbed to 76.1% in April 2026
FMPMonthlyReleased May 2026
US Capacity Utilization climbed to 76.1% in April 2026, released May 2026, up 0.4% from March's 75.7% reading. The reading matched the 75.8% consensus. Year-over-year, the indicator is down 1.6%. Over the past 3 months, Capacity Utilization averaged 76.07%, vs 76.03% in the prior 3-month window. The reading is in the 15th percentile of the trailing 24-month range.
Latest Release
76.1
Actual
75.8
Consensus
75.7
Previous
Median Absolute Error
±0.21 percentage points
across last 12 releases
Last Call
May 2026
Predicted: 75.79
Actual: 76.1
Error: -0.31
Sigmacast Σ-direction model: consensus + ½ × mean(surprise, trailing 90d).
CORRELATED SYMBOLS— markets that historically move with this indicator
| Symbol | Direction | Correlation | Asset Class | Signal Bias | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD/JPY | ▲ Direct | +0.59 | FOREX | Bullish USD | → View |
| NZD/USD | ▼ Inverse | −0.51 | FOREX | Bearish NZD | → View |
| EUR/USD | ▼ Inverse | −0.43 | FOREX | Bearish EUR | → View |
| GBP/USD | ▼ Inverse | −0.42 | FOREX | Bearish GBP | → View |
| BTC/USD | ▼ Inverse | −0.34 | CRYPTO | Bearish BTC | → View |
Correlation based on 12-month rolling window. Click any symbol to view its Sigmanomics forecast page.
THE RELEASE
Capacity Utilization (United States) was reported at 76.1% in May 2026. This beat the market consensus of 75.8% by 0.3%. The reading rose from the previous value of 75.7%. Trailing 12-month context per ETL data through May 2026. Over the past 12 months, the indicator has averaged 76.32%, ranging from 75.61% to 77.6% across 20 releases.
WHY IT MATTERS
The indicator has been trending downward over the last three releases. The trailing three releases averaged 76.17%, up from the prior three at 76%. Volatility over the past year (σ 0.62%) is lower than the prior year (σ 15.13%). In May readings over the past 3 years, Capacity Utilization has averaged 76.98%.
THE MODEL'S TAKE
Historically, this indicator is positively correlated with USD/JPY (Bullish USD). A secondary relationship exists with NZD/USD, negatively correlated (Bearish NZD). Over the last 12 releases, the Sigmacast model's median absolute error is 0.21%.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
The next release is scheduled for June 15, 2026. Same-country events in the next 14 days include NY Empire State Manufacturing Index (Jun 15) and Industrial Production MoM (Jun 15).
Auto-generated from current model state · Refreshes on each release · Last update May 2026.
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Capacity Utilization - US
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About Capacity Utilization — United States
DEFINITION
Capacity Utilization is a financial indicator that measures the extent to which a company or industry is utilizing its maximum production capacity. It is calculated by dividing the actual output by the potential output and is expressed as a percentage. This indicator provides valuable insights into the efficiency and productivity of a business, as well as its potential for growth and expansion. A high capacity utilization rate indicates that a company is operating at optimal levels, while a low rate may suggest room for improvement and potential cost savings. Overall, capacity utilization is a key metric for assessing the overall health and performance of a company or industry.
WHY THIS INDICATOR MATTERS
This release contributes to the broader macro picture used by cross-asset investors for positioning and risk management. Surprises against consensus can drive short-term moves, particularly when the print breaks an established trend. Released monthly.
WHAT CHANGED THIS MONTH
Latest reading (Apr 2026): actual 76.12 Percent. Prior reading (Mar 2026): 75.67 Percent. Before that (Feb 2026): 76.14 Percent.
WHAT'S NEXT
Sigmacast's 1-month forecast points to a similar reading versus the latest print, with the 3-month outlook reinforcing that direction. Both horizons are aligned bullish for this indicator, suggesting a consistent trend signal. Trend-driven dynamics are the primary headwind in the current projection. This indicator correlates most strongly with USD/JPY (Bullish USD, r=0.59) — a useful reference for forex-focused traders.