Italy's industrial production declined for the second straight month in June, defying economists' expectations for a slight rebound, the statistical office ISTAT said on Thursday.
Industrial output registered a monthly decrease of 1% in June, faster than the 0.3% fall in May. Meanwhile, production was expected to rise by 0.1%.
There was a monthly contraction of 2.1% in capital goods output and a 0.9% decline in intermediate goods production. The consumer goods division produced 0.7% less, while energy production continued to grow by 0.8%.
On an annual basis, calendar-adjusted industrial output shrank 0.6%, reversing a 1.2% increase in June. Further, this was the first fall in five months.
Unadjusted industrial output rebounded 2.4% in June, after a 1.8% drop in the prior month.
During the first half of the year, total industrial production grew an adjusted 0.5% compared to the same period last year, with a particularly strong increase in the manufacture of transportation equipment.