(BRUSSELS) - Factories and refineries in the 15 nations sharing the euro ratcheted down their production growth in February, according to official EU data released Monday.

Industrial output in the euro countries grew 0.3 percent over one month and 3.1 over one year, the European Union's Eurostat data agency said in a first estimate.

That marked a slowdown from January when the output rose 0.7 over one month and grew 3.3 percent over one year, according to Eurostat, revising downwards slightly previous estimates.

The February figures, adjusted to take account of seasonal variations, slightly exceeded economists expectations for an increase of 0.2 percent over one month and 3.0 percent over one year.

Output in February was driven by the energy sector and production of capital goods, which are used to make other goods and include such things as machinery, tools and plant.

In the 27-nation EU, industrial output rose 0.5 percent over one month in February and increased 3.3 percent over one year.

Further details - Eurostat

Text and Picture Copyright 2008 AFP. All other Copyright 2008 EUbusiness Ltd. All rights reserved. This material is intended solely for personal use. Any other reproduction, publication or redistribution of this material without the written agreement of the copyright owner is strictly forbidden and any breach of copyright will be considered actionable.