Brazil industrial output climbs on durable goods

Brazil's property industrial output climbed the most in four months in February, fueled by higher production of capital and durable goods.

Output climbed 9.7 percent in February from the year earlier month, the national statistic agency said in a statement distributed today in Brazil property Rio de Janeiro.

Cheaper credit and record low levels of unemployment have strengthened domestic demand and industrial production. In February, it was more than the revised 8.7 percent growth in January and 9.5 per cent average forecast in the survey of 25 economists.

The central bank said in the minutes of its Brazil property March 4-5 meeting considers raising the base interest rate to curb demand, as inflation quickens. It was 20 straight gain in the year-on year industrial production.

Output of capital goods increased from 25 percent a year ago, a month, the agency said.

Production of durable goods, such as cars, jumped 20.7 percent.

After stripping of seasonal factors, production fell 0.5 percent in February from January, the agency said.