Production at U.S. factories, mines, and utilities dropped 2.8 percent in September, the largest monthly drop since December 1974. Industry analysts were predicting an average decline of 0.8 percent, and attribute the surprising numbers to the lingering effects of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike - mining output, which includes oil and gas-related drilling, fell 7.8 percent due to the two storms. An ongoing strike in the aircraft industry against Boeing was also blamed for the decline, as well as demand for products in housing-related industries.