In December 2015, French output fell back in the manufacturing industry (-0.8% after +0.6% in November). It continued to decline in the industry as a whole (-1.6% after -0,9% in November). Analysts were anticipating 0.2% increase. Manufacturing output rose over the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the third quarter (+0.4% q-o-q).
Output increased more slightly in the whole industry (+0.2%). Output increased in other manufacturing (+0.9%), and surged in the manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products (+6.8%). On the contrary, output decreased in mining and quarrying; energy; water supply; waste management (-0.6%), in the manufacture of food products and beverages (-0.9%), in the manufacture of transport equipment (-0.7%) and in the manufacture of electrical and electronic equipment; machine equipment (-0.6%).
Euro is currently being traded few points above 1.1250 level. Pair is likely to find support around 1.12 handle and resistance above 1.1330 level. Later today, in the US session, Janet Yellen is due to testify on the Semiannual Monetary Policy Report before the House Financial Services Committee, in Washington DC.