French industrial output up 1.7% in December

French industrial output up 1.7% in December

French industry enjoyed a strong December as industrial output increased 0.7% from November 2004 and 1.7% from December 2003, France's statistics institute INSEE said. Overall industrial output rose 1.6% in the final quarter of 2004 compared to the same period the year before. Manufacturing production rose 0.9% compared to November 2004, and was up 2.1% over December 2003. Consumer goods, leather products, publishing, pharmaceuticals and maintenance operations positively impacted December's industrial production growth.