ITALIAN JANUARY INDUSTRIAL OUTPUT FALLS 3.4 PCT
Italian industrial production fell 3.4 pct
in January, compared with the same month last year, the
national statistics institute Istat said.
    The rise follows a year-on-year increase in December 1986
of 4.5 pct.
    Istat's industrial production index, base 1980, not
seasonally adjusted, registered 93.3, compared with 96.6 in
January 1986.
    Istat said there were 20 working days in January, the same
as December, but one fewer than January last year.
    Istat said the year-on-year fall reflected poorer
performances in the footwear, clothing, textiles, chemicals and
metals industries.
    It said office machinery and data sectors, wood and
furniture, precision mechanics, oil and electricity showed
improved activity.
    Calculations based on Istat figures showed industrial
production rose 2.4 pct in January, on a month-on-month basis,
after falling 12.0 pct in December over November.
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