Factories and refineries in the 15 nations that use the euro cut production faster than expected in October in the face of a sharp economic downturn, according to new data.
Industrial output in the euro zone fell 1.2% in October from September and slumped 5.3% over one year, the Eurostat data agency said.
The data, adjusted for seasonal variations, was worse than economist expectations.
The slump came after industrial output fell 1.8% in September over one month and 2.7% over one year, Eurostat said, revising down initial estimates.
The September downturn in industrial output was driven by slumping production of intermediate goods such as partly finished items and of raw materials and capital goods which are used to make other products.
Industrial output in the 27-nation EU fell 1.2% in October over one month and 5% over one year.
