French industrial and manufacturing output expanded at the fastest pace in more than two years in August, data from the statistical office Insee showed Friday.
Industrial production grew 1.6 percent on a monthly basis in August, reversing a 1.1 percent fall in July. It was the fastest growth since April 2013, when it climbed 2.1 percent. Growth also exceeded a 0.6 percent rise forecast by economists.
At the same time, manufacturing output advanced 2.2 percent, in contrast to July’s 1.3 percent decrease. This was also the biggest expansion since April 2013.
Growth in manufacturing was largely driven by a 6.5 percent increase in transport equipment output, while coke and refined petroleum products output slid 0.5 percent.
In construction, growth in output doubled to 0.6 percent from 0.3 percent in July.
Over the three months to August, output diminished 0.4 percent in the manufacturing sector and remained flat in overall industry. Year-on-year, manufacturing gained 0.5 percent and industrial output grew 0.6 percent.
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