Belgium: Industrial production accelerates in February before imminent downturn in March.
In February, industrial production growth accelerated to 2.4% on an annual- and seasonally-adjusted basis, from a revised 0.3% expansion in January (previously reported: +0.5% year-on-year s.a.). According to the Statistical Institute, the pick-up reflected a rebound in manufacturing output and soaring utilities supply.
Annual average industrial output growth, meanwhile, eased to 4.3% from 4.5% in January.
On a seasonally-adjusted basis, industrial output rose 1.3% from a month earlier (January: -4.0% month-on-month s.a.).