ROME, April 11 Reuters Italian industrial output was weaker than expected in February, edging up 0.1 from the month before after a 1.4 drop in January, data showed on Thursday.

A Reuters survey of 20 analysts had pointed to a 0.5 monthly rebound in February.

January39;s data was revised to show a steeper decline than the originally reported 1.2.

On a workday adjusted yearonyear basis, industrial output in the euro zone39;s third largest economy was down 3.1 in February, the 13th consecutive decline, national statistics bureau ISTAT said.

In the three months to February it was down 0.7 compared with the SeptembertoNovember period.

February saw a strong 3.5 monthonmonth rise in output of investment goods, while consumer goods39; output fell 0.8 and energy products were down 2.0.

Italian gross domestic product rose a quarterly 0.2 in both the fourth quarter and the third quarter of last year, yielding fullyear 2023 growth of 0.9.

Recent leading indicators have mostly pointed to a broadly stable growth rate or a modest acceleration in the first half of this year.

Reporting by Valentina Consiglio and Antonella Cinelli, writing by Gavin Jones, graphic by Stefano Bernabei

Source Reuters