Industrial Production Is Down 0.4% In Europe

Industrial production fell in both the euro area and the EU27 in January by 0.4% in both zones. In December they both grew.

Durable consumer goods production fell by 1.4% in the euro area and by 0.4% in the EU27 in January 2013 compared with December 2012. Non-durables invcreased by 0.9% and 1.3% respectively. Capital goods fell by 1.2% in both zones. Intermediate goods production grew by 0.1% in the euro area but fell by 0.1% in the EU27. Energy production decreased by 1% in the euro area and by 1.2% in the EU27.

The data available tells us that in Jnuary compared with December industrial production rose in nine countries and fell in nine. The highest increases were in Lithuania and Denmark and the largest decreases were in Finland and Luxembourg.

The annual comparison shows that production of durables fell by 5.5% in the euro area and 4.3% in the EU27. Production of non-durables increased by 3.1% and 2.2% respectively. Capital goods fell by 2.6% in both zones and energy production increased by 0.9% in the euro area and remained stable in the EU27. Intermediate goods production fell by 3.1% and 3.4% respectively.

The largest increases over the year were in Bulgaria and Lithuania and the decreases were in Sweden and Finland. There were increases in seven countries and decreases in eleven.