Euro Zone Construction Falls 1.4%, Italian Industrial Orders Down 4%

Arthi Gupta
19 Nov, 2012
New York City

Euro zone construction activities fell in September 1.4%. French leading economic index rose for the third month in a row. Greek current account swung to a surplus. Italian industrial new orders declined more than estimated.

[R]12:30 PM Frankfurt – Euro zone construction activities fell in September 1.4%. French leading economic index rose for the third month in a row. Greek current account swung to a surplus. Italian industrial new orders declined more than estimated.[/R]

Euro Area Construction Declines

Euro zone''s construction activities fell in September, preliminary data released by statistics office Eurostat showed.

Construction output decreased a seasonally adjusted 1.4% from a month ago in September, following the 0.6% gain in August.

Total production in the wider European Union of 27 nations declined 1.8% in September compared to August.

On an annual basis, overall construction output decreased 2.6% in September from 1.4% in August and declined 5.8% annually in September in the EU27.

French Leading Index Rises

A leading indicator of the French economy increased for the third consecutive month in September, data from a survey by the Conference Board showed today.

The leading economic index increased to 114.9 in September from 114.2 in August.

The coincident economic index decreased to 104.3 in September from 104.4 in August.

Greek Current Account Swings to Surplus

Greece''s current account showed a surplus of €775 million in September compared to a deficit of €1.1 billion in September 2011, data released by the Bank of Greece showed.

Italian Industrial Orders Plunge

Seasonally adjusted industrial orders in Italy fell 4% on a monthly basis in September, after a 0.6% gain in August, national statistics office ISTAT reported today.

In September, the unadjusted industrial new orders index decreased 12.8% with respect to the same month of the previous year.

Portuguese Output Price Inflation Up

Portugal''s producer price index increased 4.6% on an annual basis in October, following the 4.5% rise in September, data released by Statistics Portugal showed.

On a monthly basis, producer prices fell 0.2% in October from the 0.5% increase in September.