The index adjusted by working days grew by 3.1% year-on-year. In the first nine months output remained at the level of the same period of the previous year. The volume of industrial production in September – according to seasonally and working-day adjusted indices – was up month-on-month to 1.8%. 

According to national news service MTI, ING Bank chief analyst András Balatoni said the data show Hungary’s industrial sector is on the cusp of a turnaround, evidenced by improved sentiment as well; Balatoni cited recent reportage of the Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) as over the 50% threshold and growing order stock. He put full-year industrial output growth at 1.5%.

Gergely Suppan of Takarebank attributed the increase to added automotive industry capacity in speaking with MTI. Expansions at the local units of Audi and Daimler could lift industrial output 2% to 2.5% in coming months, he added.