Capacity Utilization: Total Index (TCU)
Capacity Utilization: Total Index — Historical Chart
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Capacity Utilization: Total Index (FRED series TCU) is a monthly economic indicator measured in percent. The series is published through FRED, the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis economic database, with history going back to 1967. Values are seasonally adjusted, smoothing out predictable calendar effects so that underlying trends are easier to see.
Why it matters: Capacity Utilization: Total Index is one of the indicators traders, economists, and policymakers watch within the economic complex. Analysts use it to track conditions in the US economy and to anticipate shifts in growth, inflation, and policy.
How to read it: focus on the direction and persistence of changes rather than any single monthly print. Comparing the latest value against its level a year ago, and against its long-run range since 1967, gives a better sense of whether the series is signaling acceleration, deceleration, or a turning point.
About This Series
explanatory notes (https://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/g17/About.htm) issued by the Board of Governors. For recent updates, see the announcements (https://www.federalreserve.gov/feeds/g17.html) issued by the Board of Governors.</p>
Recent Data
| Date | Value (%) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| April 1, 2026 | 76.12% | +0.45 |
| March 1, 2026 | 75.67% | -0.47 |
| February 1, 2026 | 76.14% | -0.11 |
| January 1, 2026 | 76.25% | +0.47 |
| December 1, 2025 | 75.78% | +0.15 |
| November 1, 2025 | 75.63% | +0.02 |
| October 1, 2025 | 75.61% | -0.44 |
| September 1, 2025 | 76.05% | -0.06 |
| August 1, 2025 | 76.11% | -0.29 |
| July 1, 2025 | 76.40% | +0.22 |
| June 1, 2025 | 76.18% | -1.3 |
| May 1, 2025 | 77.48% | -0.12 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Capacity Utilization: Total Index today?
The latest value of Capacity Utilization: Total Index (TCU) is shown at the top of this page, along with its observation date and the change from the prior reading. Data is sourced from FRED and refreshed regularly.
How often is Capacity Utilization: Total Index updated?
Capacity Utilization: Total Index is reported monthly (Monthly). New observations appear on FRED shortly after the source agency releases them, and this page updates daily.
What does a rising Capacity Utilization: Total Index mean?
A sustained rise in Capacity Utilization: Total Index signals strengthening readings in this economic measure, in percent. Whether that is positive or negative for markets depends on context — compare the move against the series’ trend and related indicators in the same category.
Where does the TCU data come from?
The data comes from FRED® (Federal Reserve Economic Data), maintained by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, under series ID TCU. History is available back to 1967.
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Data sourced from FRED®, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis: Capacity Utilization: Total Index (TCU). Retrieved from fred.stlouisfed.org. Last updated May 15, 2026.