ZCZC
BCN-17
GERMANY-INDUSTRY-INDICATOR
German industrial production disappoints in December
FRANKFURT AM MAIN, Feb 7, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Industrial production in
Germany fell back in December, official data showed Thursday, in the latest
of a series of signs pointing to slowdown in Europe’s largest economy.
Output fell 0.4 percent month-on-month, federal statistics authority
Destatis said in figures adjusted for seasonal and calendar effects — well
short of a 0.9 percent rebound forecast by analysts.
Looking to different areas of manufacturing, only capital goods makers
increased production, with a boost of 0.9 percent.
Meanwhile producer goods firms shed 0.4 percent and consumer goods makers
0.5 percent.
Elsewhere in industry, energy suppliers’ output was flat, while
construction companies reported 4.1 percent lower production.
The index showing lower industrial activity follows up a Wednesday release
revealing falling orders among manufacturing firms, the backbone of the
German economy.
“Given lower orders and restrained confidence indicators, industrial
performance is likely to remain muted,” the economy ministry commented in a
statement.
BSS/AFP/HR/13