Manufacturing production shrinks in April

Latest reading: Manufacturing production was down 2.7% in seasonally adjusted month-on-month terms in April, following a 1.2% rise in the previous month. April's reading was the weakest since May 2024. Relative to the previous month's data, readings in April softened for petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products (-2.1% in seasonally adjusted month-on-month terms vs -0.4% in March), food and beverages (-3.1% vs +2.0% in March) and basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products, metal products and machinery (-4.3% vs +2.1% in March). In contrast, the reading for wood and wood products, paper, publishing and printing improved in April (+2.1% vs -2.2% in March). In annual terms, manufacturing output fell 2.9% in April, following a 1.5% rise in the previous month.

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