Industrial production fell 0.4% in May, more than forecast, and led by slumps in manufacturing and utilities.
Capacity utilization fell to 74.9% from a revised 75.3%.
Mining production rose for the first time in nine months, by 0.2%, due to a revival of coal mining.
The report noted that car and car-part production fell the most among durable goods.
Economists had forecast that industrial production fell 0.2% after a revised 0.6% increase during the prior month, according to Bloomberg.
Capacity utilization was forecast at 75.2%.
Manufacturing production also fell more than forecast, by 0.4%.