MaltaMedia.com

The National Statistics Office (NSO) issued provisional seasonally adjusted data which indicate that in the second quarter industrial turnover increased by 0.6 per cent over the previous quarter. Over the corresponding quarter last year, working day adjusted industrial turnover increased by 2.6 per cent.

When comparing the first two quarters this year, seasonally adjusted industrial turnover edged up by 0.6 per cent. The growth in industrial turnover was the result of an increase in all main industrial components, which increased by 3.0 per cent or more. Durable consumer goods fell by 13.0 per cent.

Seasonally adjusted employment, NSO added, remained stable at 73.2 points, with developments in main industrial groupings offsetting one another. Energy and capital goods declined by 3.8 and 0.8 per cent, but were counteracted by increases in intermediate and consumer goods of 0.3 and 0.6 per cent respectively. Additionally, wages and salaries decreased by 1.9 per cent from 97.8 points in the first quarter of 2012 to 95.9 points in the subsequent period.

When compared to the corresponding quarter last year, working day adjusted turnover increased by 2.6 per cent. Capital and consumer goods advanced by 10.9 and 9.8 per cent respectively. Total turnover was partially offset by downturn movements in energy and intermediate goods of 5.4 and 0.6 per cent respectively.

Year-on-year unadjusted data for employment decreased by 1.2 per cent. All main industrial groupings registered declines, with the exception of consumer goods which edged up by 1.8 per cent, to 72.9 points.

Industrial hours adjusted for calender movements decreased by 1.1 per cent. All industrial groupings contributed towards the decline, with the exception of consumer goods, which increased by 4.6 per cent, NSO concluded.