French industrial output drops

Industrial production in France, the second-biggest economy in the euro region, unexpectedly fell for the first time in three months in April as a drop in energy output offset increased activity at manufacturers.

Production declined 0.4% from March, when it increased a revised 0.3%, Paris-based statistics office Insee said.

Economists expected a 0.3% gain, according to the median of 24 forecasts in a Bloomberg News survey. Manufacturing production, which excludes food and energy, rose 0.4% in the month.