Copyright Adam Berry, Getty Images
96262563

German Industrial Output Unexpectedly Drops for Second Month

March 9, 2018
The drop follows a report that showed German factory orders declined the most in a year in January.

German industrial production slipped for a second month in January in a sign that growth momentum in Europe’s largest economy was losing some of its luster at the start of the year.

Factory output declined 0.1% from December, when it fell a revised 0.5%, the Economy Ministry said on Friday. The reading, which is typically volatile, compares with a median estimate for a 0.6% gain in a Bloomberg survey.

The drop follows a report that showed German factory orders declined the most in a year in January amid weaker demand for basic and investment goods. Still, the Economy Ministry pointed to strong global momentum as a sign of confidence that German manufacturing will continue to expand. The Bundesbank has said that high levels of capacity utilization should encourage German companies to boost investment.

Germany is benefiting from vibrant trade. Its surplus increased to 17.4 billion euros (US$21 billion) in January from 14.6 billion euros a year earlier, the Federal Statistics Office said in a separate release. Labor costs rose 1.5% in the fourth quarter from the previous year, it said.

By Piotr Skolimowski

Popular Sponsored Recommendations

Digitally Transforming Data and Processes With Product Lifecycle Management

Oct. 29, 2023
Manufacturers face increasing challenges in product development as they strive to consistently deliver improved results. Discover how industry leaders are improving time-to-market...

Why DataOps may be the key to unlocking the full potential of digital transformation

Nov. 3, 2023
Read the 2023 market survey conducted by IndustryWeek

Gain a competitive edge with real-world lessons on private 5G networks

Nov. 16, 2023
The use of private networks in manufacturing applications is rapidly growing. In this paper, we present valuable insights and lessons learned from the field with the goal of enhancing...

Powering Up Productivity: The Transformative Power of AP Automation in Manufacturing

Oct. 25, 2023
Discover how AP Automation is revolutionizing the manufacturing industry, driving efficiency, cost savings, and security. In today's world, automation is the key to staying competitive...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of IndustryWeek, create an account today!