Italy: Industrial activity slumps in December
Industrial output decreased 1.0% in month-on-month seasonally-adjusted terms in December, which contrasted November’s 2.1% increase. The figure marked the worst reading since May. The result was largely due to a drop in manufacturing, mining and quarrying output. In addition, electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning output lost pace.
On an annual basis, factory output rose 4.4% in December, which was significantly below November’s 6.6% expansion. However, annual average industrial production growth rose to 11.8% in December (November: +11.3%). This signals an improving trend in the industrial sector.