The Central Bank of Chile published preliminary March results for its Monthly Economic Activity Index (Imacec), reporting a 3.8% increase versus the same month a year earlier. The seasonally adjusted series rose 0.8% from February and 2.9% in twelve months, with the release noting that March 2025 had one more working day than March 2024. Growth was recorded across all Imacec components, with goods production most prominent in the annual result. Goods production increased 4.4% year on year, reflecting contributions from other goods and manufacturing, alongside higher mining output supported by greater copper ore extraction, while the month-on-month seasonally adjusted increase of 1.3% was attributed to mining. Trade rose 8.9% year on year, driven mainly by wholesale and retail activity, and increased 0.3% on a seasonally adjusted monthly basis. Services grew 2.7% year on year and 0.2% month on month in seasonally adjusted terms, led by personal services, particularly health care. The non-mining Imacec increased 3.8% year on year and 0.1% month on month on a seasonally adjusted basis. The National Accounts dissemination calendar indicates preliminary GDP results for the first quarter will be released on 19 May.
Central Bank of Chile 2025-05-02
Central Bank of Chile reports March Imacec up 3.8% year on year with broad-based gains led by goods production and trade
The Central Bank of Chile reported a 3.8% year-on-year increase in its Monthly Economic Activity Index (Imacec) for March, with goods production and trade showing significant growth. Goods production rose 4.4% annually, driven by manufacturing and mining, while trade increased 8.9%, mainly due to wholesale and retail activity. Services grew 2.7% year on year, led by personal services, particularly health care.