ROME (Reuters) – Italian industrial output rose by 0.4% in July from the previous month, data showed on Wednesday, in a further sign of recovery for the long-struggling manufacturing sector.

A Reuters survey of 14 analysts had pointed to a 0.1% decrease.

The data was the second positive surprise in a row, after a 0.2% month-on-month rise in June compared to a forecast of a 0.1% fall.

The monthly economic growth in July extended to all major industry groups with the exception of energy, national statistics agency ISTAT said.

On a work day-adjusted year-on-year basis, industrial output was up by 0.9% in July, following a 0.7% decrease in June, revised from an originally reported 0.9% fall.

Some hope of recovery was also offered earlier this month by a PMI survey, showing that the Italia

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