Industrial production jumped 0.7% in April, more than expected. This is only the second positive reading since last September.
The Federal Reserve's data out Tuesday also showed that capacity utilization was 75.4%.
Economists had forecast that industrial production rose 0.3% month-on-month following a 0.6% drop according to Bloomberg.
Demand for electricity and natural gas climbed to a more normal level after unseasonably warm weather in March reduced the need for heating.
Manufacturing production rose 0.3%, while mining declined yet again, by 2.3%.
Capacity utilization was estimated at 75%.