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European factory output falls sharply
Industrial production in Europe sank faster than expected in January, raising the risk that a long-awaited return to growth will be further delayed. The eurozone's seasonally-adjusted output in January fell 0.4%, worse than the 0.1% decline most economists had been expecting. Output from Germany, which accounts for more than a third of industrial production in the 17-member currency area, slid 0.4% last month, while French production dropped 1.2%. European shares edged lower Wednesday, while the euro slipped against the dollar. The European Central Bank said last week it still expected a gradual recovery to begin ... (full story)