Singapore factory output beats expectations; grows 8.9% in Feb

Singapore

SINGAPORE'S factory output continued to put up a laudable performance in February, dispelling economists' concerns about the Chinese New Year effect and gloomy export numbers earlier in the month.

But despite the surprise upside in manufacturing numbers, the outlook over the next few months still appears clouded as talk about an impending US-China trade war escalates.

Economists are mostly unfazed about the potential impact on Singapore's industrial production, as well as implications on the Monetary Authority of Singapore's (MAS) policy stance in the upcoming April meeting.

Factory output grew 8.9 per cent last month compared to a year ago, stronger than the 4.2 per cent projected by economists…