French Industrial Production Declined Unexpectedly in February Amid Restrictions

By Maria Martinez

French industrial production unexpectedly fell in February, missing forecasts for an increase, data from statistics agency Insee showed Friday.

Total industrial output --comprising output in manufacturing, energy and construction-- declined 4.7% in February compared with January. Economists had forecast a 0.5% increase in February, according to a poll by The Wall Street Journal.

Insee also downwardly revised the on-month industrial production figure for January to a 3.2% increase, from 3.3% previously.

Compared with February 2020 --the last month before the coronavirus pandemic hit Europe-- total industrial output was down 6.6% in February 2021 in calendar-adjusted terms.

Manufacturing output was down 4.6% in February compared with the previous month, construction fell 6.0% and energy production decreased 5.4%.

Write to Maria Martinez at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

04-09-21 0259ET