Polish February industrial output turned negative again after the January rebound, dropping by 2.1%y/y, below market consensus of -1.6%y/y, vs. our forecast of -2.5%y/y. After eliminating for seasonal effects, the pace of output decline also deepened somewhat compared to the previous month (-2.4%y/y vs. -2.1%y/y in January). The detailed data shows that Polish industrial sector suffers from both, worsening situation abroad hitting export-oriented sectors and sluggish domestic demand. Biggest year-on-year output declines were reported in industries such as: manufacturing of machinery and equipment (-13.2%), computer and electronic devices (-12.8%), metals (-8.2%), motor vehicles (-5.9%), coal mining (-5.9%), electricity and gas (-5.8%). Also the construction output figure, a separate category to industrial output, recorded another decline in year-on-year terms in February, for the 9th consecutive month, however, the pace of decline eased somewhat compared to the previous month (-11.4%y/y vs. -16.1%y/y in January). That said, the construction output readings for February and January still suggest deepening of negative investments dynamics in 1Q13, which remains our baseline scenario. Overall, the figures released today confirm continued economic slowdown in 1Q13, which might strengthen expectations for further interest rate cuts by the MPC. Still, in our baseline scenario we expect interest rates will be kept steady at the record-low level of 3.25% until end-year as economic activity indicators should show bottoming out of GDP growth in 1Q13 and acceleration of growth from 2Q13 onwards, aided by the rebound in Germany.
Poland, Industrial output (Feb): -2.1%y/y
Previous (Jan): +0.3%y/y
Consensus: -1.6%y/y, KBCS forecast: -2.5%y/y
Poland, Industrial output S.A. (Feb): -2.4%y/y
Previous (Jan): -2.1%y/y
Poland, Construction output (Feb): -11.4%y/y
Previous (Jan): -16.1%y/y
Poland, Construction output S.A. (Feb): -12.2%y/y
Previous (Jan): -17.5%y/y