Mexico's industrial output rose in September by the most in nearly two years as manufacturing picked up on strong automobile production. Industrial production increased by 1.7 percent in September from August, the national statistics agency database showed on Friday. Analysts expected a 0.21 percent rise. The month-on-month increase was the biggest since October 2009.
Industrial output figures for August were revised down to show a contraction of 1.3 percent from a previously reported drop of 1.1 percent. Manufacturing production rose 1.46 percent in September compared with August, boosted by record vehicle output figures. Construction rose 2.53 percent, month on month, while mining fell 1.2 percent. A slowing US economy is expected to drag down growth in Mexico, which sends nearly 80 percent of its exports to its northern neighbour. Industrial output in September rose 3.6 percent compared with the same month last year.