= DATA SNAP: Czech Mar Indus Output -2.1% YY Vs Feb +11.3% YY
Monday, May 12, 2008; Posted: 03:39 AM

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PRAGUE, May 12, 2008 (Dow Jones Commodities News Select via Comtex) -- -- style='font-size:11px;'>By Leos Rousek Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES ========================================================= Czech Industrial Output ! ! Mar Feb ! Consensus: +5.5% ! on yr -2.1% +11.3% ! Actual: -2.1% ! =========================================================

Czech industrial production declined 2.1% on the year in March, its first annual drop in more than five years, compared with a 11.3% year-on-year rise in February, the Czech Statistics Office, or CSU, said Monday.

The March industrial output decline was largely due to fewer working days and a high base of comparison with the year-earlier.

The March figure was below market expectations for a 5.5% increase on the year, according to a Dow Jones Newswires poll of six economists.

Automobile and car parts manufacturing, a key driver of the country's economy, was most affected by the combination of a long Easter weekend holiday and spring school breaks in several Czech regions, as output in this sector declined 1.8% on the year in April, compared with a 17.7% annual rise in March.

Last year's Easter holidays fell in April. Many Czechs plan their vacations to coincide with school breaks of their children.

CSU Web site: www.czso.cz

-By Leos Rousek; Dow Jones Newswires; +420 222 191 374; leos.rousek@dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

05-12-08 0339ET

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