Manufacturing output in the UK tumbled in February, led lower by a plunge in the transportation-equipment sector.
The National Statistics office said February manufacturing output dropped by 0.6 percent, with widespread decreases across the industry. Output in transport equipment fell by 1.3 percent, and there were no significant increases in any sector.
In the three months through February, manufacturing output fell by 0.2 percent and mining and quarrying output dropped by 1.5 percent, while the electricity, gas and water supply industries improved by 1.4 percent.
Manufacturing output in the latest three months was 1.8 percent higher than the same period a year ago, the government said.