Factories and refineries in the euro zone ratcheted down their production growth in February, according to official EU data.
Industrial output in the euro countries grew 0.3% over one month and 3.1% over one year, the European Union's Eurostat data agency said in a first estimate.
That marked a slowdown from January when the output rose 0.7% one month and grew 3.3% over one year, according to Eurostat, revising downwards slightly previous estimates.
The February figures, adjusted to take account of seasonal variations, slightly exceeded economists expectations for an increase of 0.2% over one month and 3% over one year.
Output in February was driven by the energy sector and production of capital goods, which are used to make other goods and include such things as machinery, tools and plant.
In the 27-nation EU, industrial output rose 0.5% over one month in February and increased 3.3% over one year.
