Industrial output down by 0.4% in Euro zone

Industrial output down by 0.4% in Euro zone

The figures published by the EU statistics institution Eurostat indicate that industrial output in 25 member states of European Union (EU) decreased by 0.2% on a monthly basis in June, after a rise of 0.5% in May. In June, Euro zone's industrial output also declined by 0.4%. In June 2004, as compared to June 2003, capital goods increased by 4.9% in the Euro zone and by 5.7% in the EU. Intermediate goods surged by 2.8% and 3.1% respectively. Durable consumer goods recorded a 1.6% rise in Euro zone and a 2.7% rise in EU while non-durable consumer goods rose by 0.1% in Euro zone and remained stable in EU. The energy sector also indicated a 1.2% rise in both zones. In the mentioned period, the highest annual increases were registered in Lithuania with 18.1%, Poland with 13%, the Czech Republic with 12.7% and Hungary with 8.6%. The member countries which showed decline in industrial output are; Greece with 1.5%, Portugal with 0.3% and Italy with 0.1%.