Industrial output for the eurozone rose robustly in July by 0.6%, although growth in Portugal was just 0.1%.
Portuguese industry did rise for three months in a row (March to May), fell in June but rallied in July. Annually output in July was 1.2% higher than in July last year.
The eurozone average was better than expected with analysts having predicted a milder 0.3% increase.
The surprise result means that on an annual basis, production in July this year was 1.9% higher compared to 2014.
Growth was driven by increases in energy production, and higher capital and durable consumer goods on the continent.
Ireland, Germany, Italy and Spain all say strong growth while Greek production stormed ahead by 4.3%.
French production, however, managed to fall by 0.8%, enabling observers to continue tagging it the eurozone’s ‘laggard’.
Despite the overall good news, analysts remain glum, fearing that growth will remain sluggish for the rest of the year. The European Central Bank has lowered its forecasts for growth over the coming three years over concerns of slowdowns in emerging markets and in China which could hit euro economies.
A strengthening of the euro could also affect eurozone industry.
