Slight increase for industrial output

Industrial output in October witnessed a slight increase on the previous month (0.1%). The index was 4.5% higher at the end of October than at the beginning of the year, National Statistics Institute (INS) data show. The same slight increase was also registered in the processing industry in October, which rose 5.5% in the first ten months compared with the corresponding period last year. Industrial companies recorded a total turnover increase (non-core business included) of 10.6% more in real terms than for 2003. Retail companies (except those selling vehicles and motorcycles) also saw higher turnover. The National Statistics Institute data show turnover in the sector was 12.5% higher in the first nine months of the year than in the same time last year, with significant growth seen in the sales of non-foodstuffs (14.3%.). ZF