The Associated Press reported that French industrial production rose a better-than-expected 3.1 percent from October to November thanks to a rebound in automobile output.
In its monthly review of industrial activity in the euro zone's second-largest economy, the national statistics institute Insee said automobile production rose 7.1 percent in November from the previous month after a 9 percent drop in October. Economists had forecast a 2.1 percent rise in French industrial production in November.
Consumer goods production rose 0.7 percent and capital goods production rose 2.9 percent, thanks to a rebound in boat, plane, train and motorcycle production, Insee said.
Industrial production excluding energy, food and construction, considered the best measure of basic manufacturing output, rose 2.6 percent in November from the previous month. The Insee figures are corrected for seasonal variations.