INSTANT VIEW 3-Slovak Dec ind output matches mkt fcast

    Slovak industrial output rose 
by a real 8.9 percent year-on-year in December, slowing from a 
9.8 percent increase in November, Slovak Statistics Office said 
on Thursday. 
  
KEY POINTS: 
 INDUSTRIAL OUTPUT      DEC 06     DEC 06 FCASTS 
 pct change yr/yr       +8.9          +8.9 
 
(For full table click pls ..... [ID:nPRG000228]) 
 
- Analysts surveyed by Reuters had expected industrial 
output to have risen by 8.9 percent on an annual basis in 
December  . 
- Manufacturing production, which has the strongest weighting in 
the index, rises 12.5 percent on the year in December, down from 
a 13.0 percent increase in the previous month. 
- Mining returns to negative territory, falling by 9.7 percent, 
after an 1.7 percent rise in November. 
- Production and distribution of electricity, gas and water 
falls by 7.3 percent, compared with a 9.3 percent drop in 
November. 
- Within manufacturing output, car production surges by 73.5 
percent from a year ago, after a 51.3 percent jump in 
November. 
- The automotive industry is the main pillar of Slovakia's 
economy. 
     
COMMENTARY: 
    MARIA VALACHYOVA, SENIOR ANALYST, SLOVENSKA SPORITELNA, 
BRATISLAVA 
    "We expect strong industrial output growth to continue, 
supported by electrotechnical industry and car production. These 
numbers confirm a positive view on economic performace and a 
strong growth outlook." 
     
    LUCIA STEKLACOVA, SENIOR ANALYST, ING BANK, BRATISLAVA 
    "December industrial output broadly met our expectations. 
Auto production was better than expected, so it could be 
slightly positive for tomorrow's reading of the foreign trade 
balance. 
    "Industrial production should show double digit growth this 
year. Car and electrical equipment manufacturing should be the 
major drivers behind growth." 
     
MARKET REACTION: 
    The Slovak crown  slightly weakened after the data, 
to 34.585 to the euro from 34.550, but traders said it was a 
technical move and they expected the unit to firm later in the 
session. 
     
LINKS: 
- For further details on December industrial output and other 
past data, Reuters 3000 Xtra users can click on the Slovak 
Statistics Office's website: 
    http://wwww.statistics.sk/webdata/english/index2_a.htm 
     
- For LIVE Slovak economic data releases, click on...... 
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 ((For past economic data and analysts' forecasts, double click 
on )) 
 
 (Reporting by Martin Santa in Bratislava) 
  ((Editing by Alan Crosby; bratislava.newsroom@reuters.com; 
Reuters Messaging: martin.santa.reuters.com@reuters.net; +421 2 
5341 8402)) 
  Keywords: SLOVAKIA ECONOMY/OUTPUT  
    

[BRATISLAVA/Reuters/Finance.cz]