France: Industrial output plummets at the quickest pace in almost two years in December
Seasonally-adjusted industrial production fell 2.8% from the previous month in December, after seeing no growth in November and marking the lowest reading in 23 months. The downturn chiefly reflected the effects of country-wide strikes over the economy. The manufacturing, mining, construction and utilities supply sectors all contracted in the last month of last year.
On an annual basis, industrial production plummeted 3.0%, contrasting a revised 0.9% rebound in the previous month (previously reported: +1.3% year-on-year). Meanwhile, annual average growth in industrial production logged 0.3% in December, down from 0.4% in November.