Recoveries were seen in mining (3.5 percent from -0.1 percent in Q4 2016), manufacturing (1 percent from -0.6 percent) and wholesale and retail trade (0.2 percent from -0.6 percent). The output for transportation and storage (3.3 percent from 1.2 percent) expanded faster. In contrast, a slowdown was seen for utilities (0.9 percent from 5.5 percent) and financial activities (0.1 percent from 1.7 percent).
On the other hand, main declines were seen in contruction (-4.5 percent from -1.9 percent); health and social services (-1.9 percent from -1.7 percent); agriculture (-0.9 percent from +3.2 percent) and real estate (-0.9 percent from +1.2 percent).
The central bank recently increased its GDP growth forecasts for 2017 to 1.3-1.8 percent from 1-1.5 percent.