Core sector output rises to 6.3% in Aug led by steel, coal

MUMBAI: Annual growth in eight key infrastructure sectors, as measured by the combined Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI), accelerated to 6.3% in August (y-0-y), boosted by higher production rates in steel, coal, and refined petroleum products sectors, according to data released by the ministry of commerce and industry ‘on Monday.

- Sreedev Krishnakumar

This was the sharpest rise since May 2024. Sequentially, however, the index contracted by 1.7% in August after recording a marginal uptick of about 1% in July.

Six of the eight industries that make up the index registered year-on-year expansion in August.

Steel was the strongest performer, rising by 14.2% after a 16.6% increase in July. Coal output grew by 11.4%, ending two consecutive months of contraction.