Euro zone industrial output growth slows

Industrial output in the euro countries grew 0.3% over one month and 3.1% over one year, the European Union's Eurostat data agency said in a first estimate.

 That marked a slowdown from January
when the output rose 0.7% one month and grew 3.3% over one year,
according to Eurostat, revising downwards slightly previous
estimates.
The February figures, adjusted to take
account of seasonal variations, slightly exceeded economists
expectations for an increase of 0.2% over one month and 3% over one
year.
Output in February was driven by the
energy sector and production of capital goods, which are used to make
other goods and include such things as machinery, tools and plant.
In the 27-nation EU, industrial output
rose 0.5% over one month in February and increased 3.3% over one
year.