German industrial output, trade surplus slip in Mar

AFP, FRANKFURT: Industrial production declined slightly and the trade surplus narrowed for Germany in March, official data showed Monday, although overall Europe's largest economy enjoyed a strong first quarter.
Industrial production was 0.4 per cent lower in March than in February, adjusting for price, seasonal and calendar effects, federal statistics office Destatis said in a statement.
Analysts surveyed by data company Factset had predicted a slightly larger drop after a surprise leap in February.
Meanwhile, Germany's trade surplus -- the amount by which its exports outweigh its imports -- shrank slightly to 19.6 billion euros ($21.4 billion), according to preliminary data from Destatis adjusted for seasonal and calendar effects.
That was 1.5 per cent lower than February's figure of 20 billion euros, as growth in imports outpaced a rise in exports.
"The economic situation in industry perked up in the first quarter of this year," the economy ministry said in a statement.
Meanwhile, "industrial orders and economic climate indicators point to continued positive trends," it added.
"Prospects for strong growth in GDP in the first quarter are very good after today's data," commented analyst Stefan Kipar of BayernLB bank.
Official data on German gross domestic product growth in the first quarter will be released on Friday.

German industrial output, trade surplus slip in Mar

AFP, FRANKFURT: Industrial production declined slightly and the trade surplus narrowed for Germany in March, official data showed Monday, although overall Europes largest economy enjoyed a strong first quarter. Industrial production was 0.4 per cent lower in March than in February, adjusting for price, seasonal and calendar effects, federal statistics office Destatis said in a statement. Analysts surveyed by data company Factset had predicted a slightly larger drop after a surprise leap in February. Meanwhile, Germanys trade surplus -- the amount by which its exports outweigh its imports -- shrank slightly to 19.6 billion euros ($21.4 billion), according to preliminary data from Destatis adjusted for seasonal and calendar effects. That was 1.5 per cent lower than Februarys figure of 20 billion euros, as growth in imports outpaced a rise in exports. The economic situation in industry perked up in the first quarter of this year, the economy ministry said in a statement. Meanwhile, industrial orders and economic climate indicators point to continued positive trends, it added. Prospects for strong growth in GDP in the first quarter are very good after todays data, commented analyst Stefan Kipar of BayernLB bank. Official data on German gross domestic product growth in the first quarter will be released on Friday.