German industrial output falls in December

Industrial output in Germany fell sharply in December, data published by the German Economy and Labour Ministry showed today.

Industrial output in Germany fell sharply in December, data published by the German Economy and Labour Ministry showed today.

German industrial output dropped by 2.6 per cent in December from the figure for November, weighed down by falling production particularly in the construction sector, the ministry said.

In November, German industrial output had risen by 2.4 per cent. Output contracted sharply in both the construction manufacturing sectors, but activity was particularly weak in the construction sector where output plunged by 5.8 per cent in December from November.

Output in the manufacturing sector declined by 2.7 per cent, while energy output rose by 1 per cent.

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By region, industrial output in western Germany slumped by 2.8 per cent in December from November; in the east, output was down by 0.9 per cent month-on-month.

Using a two-month comparison to iron out short-term fluctuations, pan-German industrial output edged up 0.5 per cent in November and December combined from the figure for September and October, the ministry said.

AFP