Romania: Industrial output rises in January
Latest reading: Industrial output jumped 2.1% in seasonally and calendar-adjusted month-on-month terms in January (December: -1.2% mom s.a.), marking the best result since June 2024. The reading reflected a broad-based improvement, with activity in the manufacturing, mining and quarrying plus energy supply sectors all rebounding in January.
On an annual basis, industrial production increased 2.1% in seasonally and calendar-adjusted terms in January, rebounding notably from December’s 3.4% contraction and marking the best result since April 2024. Moreover, the trend improved, with the annual average variation of industrial production coming in at minus 1.2% in January, up from December’s minus 1.7% reading.
Panelist insight: Commenting on the outlook, Eugen Sinca, analyst at Erste Bank, stated:
“After contracting in 2023 and 2024, we anticipate a return to growth for industrial production this year […]. Significant investments in EU security along with large fiscal stimulus planned in Germany for infrastructure and defence spending are likely to boost local industrial production.”