It was the 21st consecutive month of contraction in industrial activity, although the softest decline among the sequence, as output fell at softer pace for manufacturing (-1.4% vs -5.8% in April).

On the other hand, output tumbled for mining & quarrying (-0.7% vs 3.6%), while slowed for electricity, gas, steam & air conditioning supply (2.1% vs 10.1%).

On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, industrial production rose 3.9% in May, rebounding from a 1.5% fall in the prior month.