Polish Output Prices, Industrial Output Rise Less Than Expected In March

Poland's output price inflation eased more than economists' expected in March, data released by the statistical office showed Thursday.

Producer price inflation slowed sharply to 4.5 percent in March from 6 percent in February, which was revised down from 6.3 percent. Economists were looking for a 4.8 percent increase.

Prices in the mining and quarrying industry rose 4.8 percent annually, while manufacturing prices moved up 4.4 percent. There was a 3.6 percent year-on-year increase in output prices of electricity, gas, steam and hot water during the month.

On a monthly basis, output prices edged up 0.1 percent in March, in line with economists' forecast. In February, output priced had decreased a revised 0.5 percent month-on-month.

Separately, the agency said Poland's industrial production increased 0.7 percent annually in March, sharply slower than the 4.4 percent growth economists forecast. Month-on-month, industrial output climbed 10.7 percent during the month, while economists were looking for a 14.6 percent increase.