Superstorm Sandy depressed U.S. industrial output in October, the latest indication that the storm could temporarily slow the economy. Still, production of machinery and equipment declined sharply, reflecting a more cautious outlook among businesses.

The Federal Reserve said Friday that industrial production fell 0.4 percent last month, after a 0.2 percent gain in September. Excluding the storm’s impact, output at the nation’s factories, mines and utilities would have risen about 0.6 percent.