INDUSTRY: PRODUCER PRICES STABLE IN THE EU IN FEBRUARY.

In February compared to the previous month, the evolution of the different sectors was similar in the EU and the Euro-zone. In both areas, the indices for capital goods rose by 0.1% and for durable consumer goods by 0.2%. Intermediate goods and non-durable consumer goods fell both by 0.1%. Energy increased by 0.1% in the EU and by 0.4% in the Euro-zone. In February 2002, price increases were registered in Portugal (0.4%), the Netherlands (0.3%), Spain (0.2%) and Germany (0.1%). The price index remained stable in France, while Italy (-0.1%), Luxembourg, Finland and the United Kingdom (-0.2% each) reported declines.Annual changes.The fall of 1% in the EU and 1.1% in the Euro-zone in the index in February 2002 compared with February 2001, was due to price falls for energy and intermediate goods. Even though energy prices...