Industrial production up 0.4% in July

Industrial output in Brazil gained pace in July, rising a seasonally adjusted 0.40% compared with June.

Industrial production rose in July in consumer goods, and the semi-durable and non-durable goods sectors, the Brazilian Census Bureau (IBGE said. Highlights were increases in output of vehicles and other transport equipment, chemical and pharmaceutical products, refined oil and ethanol, it said.

Brazil's industrial segment had benefited from strong domestic demand as Latin America's largest economy emerged from a brief recession in early 2009. Improved consumer access to credit and tax breaks fueled purchases of manufactured goods such as cars and refrigerators, stoking production at Brazil's factories.

Industrial production grew 8.70% in July compared to the same month a year ago, the IBGE said. 

The IBGE revised June's industrial production figures. In the month-on-month comparison with May, industrial output fell 1.1% from the previous fall of 1.0%.