Production output fell by 1.1% in Quarter 4 (Oct to Dec) 2018, compared with Quarter 3 (July to Sept) 2018, due mainly to a fall of 0.9% in manufacturing; this is the first time since Quarter 1 (Jan to Mar) 2009 that all four main sectors have fallen during a quarter. • The decrease of 0.9% in manufacturing in Quarter 4 2018 is the strongest fall since Quarter 4 2012; there is broad-based weakness with the largest falls in transport equipment (2.7%) and basic metals (3.0%). • Production output fell by 0.5% between November 2018 and December 2018; the manufacturing sector provided the largest downward contribution ... (full story)