In a stark revelation of Europe's regulatory and anti-business policies, the Eurozone's manufacturing sector has taken a significant hit, far beyond anticipated levels.

Industrial production in the Eurozone, excluding construction, plummeted by a seasonally adjusted 1.1% in December, outpacing economists' expectations of a mere 0.5% decline, as reported by Eurostat. Year-on-year figures are even more telling, with a 2.0%. This happens in a time where the business cycle should accelerate!

The production of capital goods saw a sharp decline of 2.6% month-over-month, with a yearly reduction of 8.1%. Intermediate goods production also decreased, dropping by 1.9% from the previous month and 2.4% over the year.

The broader EU-27 region did not fare much better, with industrial output falling by 0.8% month-on-month and 1.7% year-on-year.

This downturn paints a grim picture of the European industrial landscape, highlighting the urgent need for policy reevaluation to foster a more conducive environment for industrial growth.