Eurozone industrial output grows 0.2pc in Feb

Industrial output in the 18-nation eurozone grew by 0.2 per cent in February, in line with analysts' expectations.Growth was driven by a 0.6 per cent increase in intermediate goods and a 0.5 per cent increase in non-durable consumer goods. Electronic components manufacturing saw the strongest growth in eurozone intermediate goods output, with an 11.5 per cent increase, Eurostat said. Energy output decreased by 1.7 per cent overall, with a fall of 11 per cent in coal and lignite mining. There was a 1.2 per cent drop in durable consumer goods. So-called intermediate goods, including man-made fibres, pesticides, chemical products and animal feeds, all contributed to the growth in eurozone industrial output. Falls in energy industry production, including a monthly drop of 8.4 per cent in petrol and natural gas extraction, did not dent overall industrial growth, according to a news agency.