In December 2011 compared with November 2011, the euro area1 (EA17) industrial new orders index2 rose by 1.9%, after a fall of 1.1% in November3. In the EU271 new orders increased by 1.3% in December 2011, after a decrease of 1.2% in November3. Excluding ships, railway & aerospace equipment4, for which changes tend to be more volatile, industrial new orders gained 2.5% in the euro area and 2.6% in the EU27. In December 2011 compared with December 2010, industrial new orders decreased by 1.7% in both zones. Total industry excluding ships, railway & aerospace equipment4 fell by 0.8% in the euro area, but rose by 0.9% ... (full story)