German industrial production rose by 1.4% in June, far exceeding estimates by analysts, owing to strength in the construction sector, adjusted data from the economy ministry showed on Aug. 5.
Analysts had expected growth of 0.3%. Economists interpreted the latest figures as further evidence of a firm undercurrent in the eurozone's biggest economy.
Industrial output had fallen by 0.4% in May and the economy ministry said that the surge in June reflected activity in the building sector.
The German industrial data indicated that figures for the construction sector had risen by 4.7% in June, partly because the sector had caught up for time lost because of unfavorable weather in the winter and part of the spring. Output in May had declined by 1.9%. Production of durable goods had risen by 3.5%.
Copyright: Agence France-Presse, 2005
