Euro Area: Industrial production growth softens in December
Industrial output increased a seasonally-adjusted 1.2% over the previous month in December, following November’s 2.4% jump. December’s growth reflected rises in the production of capital and non-durable consumer goods as well as of intermediate goods. Meanwhile, production of durable consumer goods and of energy dropped.
Looking at the individual economies for which data is available, industrial output expanded in 13 countries, while it contracted in five countries. Within the most important economies, production increased in Germany and in the Netherlands while it decreased in France, Italy and Spain.
On an annual basis, industrial production increased 1.6% in December, contrasting November’s 1.4% fall. Lastly, annual average growth in industrial production remained stable at November’s 7.8% in December.