MW: Japan Dec. industrial production beats forecast
By Michael Kitchen
LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- Japan's industrial production index rose a seasonally adjusted 3.1% during December, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said Monday. The increase beat economists' expectations, as reported by Dow Jones Newswires, for a 2.9% rise. The sectors driving the gains were, in order, transport equipment, electronic parts and devices, and iron and steel, the ministry said. Compared to December 2009, the index was up 4.6%.
