Showing some signs of recovery, the output of eight core sectors grew 4.5 per cent in February this year on improved production of electricity, coal and crude oil. The Index of Eight Core Industries had expanded 1.6 per cent in January and 1.3 per cent in February 2013. The eight core industries – fertilisers, cement, steel,electricity, crude oil, coal, petroleum refinery products andnatural gas – have a combined weight of about 38 per cent in the Index of Industrial Production, IIP. Core sector growth was the fastest since an 8 per centexpansion in September and could have a positive impact on IIP numbers for February, which are expected on April 12.