France: Industrial output rebounds in February
Industrial production swung from a revised 1.8% month-on-month drop in January (previously reported: -2.0% month-on-month) to a 1.2% expansion in February. The reading came in slightly below market expectations of a stronger 1.4% increase.
February’s expansion was driven by higher output in construction and in the mining and quarrying, energy, water supply, and waste management sector. The construction sector swung from a steep 7.5% month-on-month decline in January to a 2.8% increase in February, while the mining and quarrying, energy, water supply and waste management sector grew 11.5% month-on-month in February (January: -6.3% mom). In turn, manufacturing was the only component that declined in February, reflecting lower output of machinery and equipment goods, as well as of transport equipment.
In annual terms, growth in industrial production rose from a 1.2% increase in January to a strong 4.0% increase in February. Meanwhile, annual average growth in industrial production edged up from 2.5% in January to 2.8% in February.