The euro area (EA12) industrial new orders index increased by 2.8% in December 2006 compared to November 2006. The index grew by 1.1% in November3 but fell by 0.3% in October. EU25 new orders gained 2.7% in December 2006, after increases of 0.8% in November3 and 0.4% in October. Excluding ships, railway and aerospace equipment4 industrial new orders rose by 0.6% in the euro area and remained stable in the EU25 in December 2006.
In December 2006 compared to December 2005, industrial new orders increased by 1.6% in the euro area and by 2.5% in the EU25. Total industry excluding ships, railway and aerospace equipment grew by 4.6% in the euro area and by 3.9% in the EU25. The average industrial new orders index for 2006, compared to 2005, increased by 9.1% in the euro area and by 8.8% in the EU25.
These estimates are released by Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities.
Monthly changes: In December 2006 compared to November 2006, new orders for transport equipment increased by 4.5% in the euro area and by 4.8% in the EU25. Manufacturing of basic metals and fabricated metal products gained 2.3% and 2.2% respectively. Textiles and textile products grew by 1.9% in the euro area and by 1.1% in the EU25.
Manufacturing of chemicals and chemical products rose by 1.8% and 1.6% respectively. Machinery and equipment increased by 0.9% in the euro area, but fell by 0.5% in the EU25. Electrical and electronic equipment increased by 0.5% in the euro area, but declined by 0.5% in the EU25.