IN BRIEF (Page 14)

Indian factory output rises

India's manufacturing output accelerated at the fastest pace in 17 months in January, underscoring the central bank's decision last week to start tightening monetary policy.

HSBC Holdings Plc and Markit Economics' Purchasing Managers' Index stood at 57.6 last month, compared with 55.6 in December, according to a report released yesterday. That was the tenth monthly reading above 50, which indicates a gain in factory production.