Industrial production in the 18 country-strong Euro-area grew by a marginal 0.1 per cent in October, indicating a poor start to the fourth quarter.

The 0.1 per cent growth was lower than economists’ expectations of a 0.2 per cent expansion and will do nothing to raise optimism over the outlook for the euro-area economy.

The biggest improvement month-on-month was in the production of non-durable consumer goods, with production rising 1.8 per cent in this particular sector.

However, energy production dropped 1.9 per cent compared to September and capital goods dipped by 0.2 per cent.

Year-on-year, industrial production improved by 0.7 per cent but the monthly figures will likely be closely scrutinised by economists, who are already concerned about the downside risks to the euro-area economy. (more…)