Euro area industrial output dips in March

Euro area industrial production slipped in March with big falls seen in most of the single currency bloc's largest economies.

According to Eurostat, industrial production in the Eurozone dipped by 0.3% month-on-month and by 0.6% year-on-year.

In comparison to February, energy output acted as a drag, shrinking by 0.3%, although that of durable consumer goods jumped by 0.7%.

Output of capital goods also improved, rising by 0.4% on the month.

Production bounced back in Germany, rising by 0.4%, but fell in all the other major countries of the currency bloc.

Total output fell by 1.0% in France, 0.9% in Italy, 1.2% in Spain and 0.4% in the Netherlands.

Versus a year ago, energy production was the biggest drag, falling by 7.3%, but that of capital goods had risen by 1.3%.