In February 2021, the seasonally adjusted industrial production index is estimated to increase by 0.2% compared to January. On average for the December-February quarter, the level of production grew by 0.6% compared to the previous three months.
The seasonally adjusted monthly index grows on a cyclical basis for consumer goods (+2.6%); while it decreases for energy (-2.0%), capital goods (-1.7%) and intermediate goods (-0.5%).
Corrected for calendar effects, in February 2021 the overall index decreased in trend terms by 0.6% (there were 20 calendar working days, as in February 2020). A tendential increase was recorded only for intermediate goods (+2.1%). Conversely, the remaining sectors show decreases, with a marked decrease for energy (-6.2%) and instrumental goods (-4.3%) and less marked for consumer goods (-1.9%).
The sectors of economic activity that recorded the greatest trend increases are the manufacture of electrical equipment (+8.5%), the manufacture of computers, electronic and optical products (+4.6%) and the manufacture of chemical products (+3. 5%). Conversely, the greatest declines were recorded in the manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products (-26.2%), in mining (-15.9%) and in the textile, clothing, leather and accessories industries (-13.7%).
ISTAT press release - 13 April 2021
FULL TEXT AND METHODOLOGICAL NOTE
