Today's manufacturing output figures were mediocre and disappointing overall,

Today's manufacturing output figures were ... worse than the market expected. The sector continues to stagnate and is persistently failing to sustain a recovery. The figures also confirm that the sector was in technical recession in the first half of 2005. The manufacturing sector's acute underlying weaknesses reinforce our view that we will need further interest rate cuts later in the year.

Today's manufacturing output figures were ... worse than the market expected. The sector continues to stagnate and is persistently failing to sustain a recovery. The figures also confirm that the sector was in technical recession in the first half of 2005, ... The manufacturing sector's acute underlying weaknesses reinforce our view that we will need further interest rate cuts later in the year.

Alleviating the plight of manufacturing, and countering the downward pressures on the economy, are now key priorities.

There is still a distinct danger of renewed recession in manufacturing.

Overall, it is disappointing for February.