Summary
The turnover in the industry in nominal terms, presented an increase of 16.2%, 6.7 percentage points higher than in February mainly influenced by the behaviour of the foreign market. The sales to this market recorded an increase of 30.4% in March (12.8% in February) due in particular to the performance of the Energy industry.
The annual change in the 1st quarter of 2010 stood at 11.9% (-5.9% in the fourth quarter of 2009).
Employment, wages and hours worked (adjusted for calendar effects) decreased year on year, 4.0%, and 2.6% and 2.5%, respectively.