France's industrial production and factory output declined at the fastest pace in seven months in February, survey data from the statistical office INSEE showed Friday.
Industrial production decreased 1 percent on a monthly basis, reversing a similar size gain registered in the previous month that was revised from a 1.3 percent increase. Economists were looking for a 0.4 percent fall.
The latest decline was the fastest since July last year, when production shrunk 2.1 percent.
Manufacturing output dropped 0.9 percent from January, when it grew 0.4 percent, which revised from 0.8 percent. Economists had forecast a 0.3 percent decrease. The fall was the worst since July last year, when output declined 2.4 percent.
Year-on-year, industrial production grew 0.6 percent and factory output rose 1.5 percent. Economists had expected 1.7 percent and 2.6 percent gains, respectively.
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