French industrial sector contracted unexpectedly in September, figures by the French Statistics Office in Paris showed on Friday.

Industrial production dropped 0.5 percent in September, worst compared with a revised 0.7 percent increase in August, missing analysts’ median estimates of 0.1 percent growth.

From a year ago, production declined 0.9 percent as expected. Industrial Production 2.9 percent revised lower to 2.0 percent drop in August.

Manufacturing output declined 0.7 percent, trailing estimates of 0.4 percent. Annual manufacturing production also declined 1.3 percent from a revised 2.7 percent originally reported at 3.8 percent decline, missing estimates for 1.1 percent drop. 

Germany’s trade balance rose sharply to 20.4 billion euros in September compared with a revised 13.3 billion euros originally reported at 13.1 billion euros in the previous month, missing analysts` median estimate of 15.4 billion euros.

Exports were 1.7 percent higher from 1.0 percent a month earlier, beating 0.4 percent median forecast. Imports declined 1.9 percent from revised 0.1 percent originally reported at 0.4 percent, missing 0.6 percent estimated.

More, the current account balance showed surplus widened to 19.7 billion euros, from a revised 10.1 billion euros, above median analysts` forecast of 15.0 billion euros.

Unemployment rate in Switzerland rose, as expected, to 3.1% in October, compared with September`s reading of 3.0%.  On a seasonal basis, Swiss unemployment stood at 3.2%, in line with forecast.