German Industrial Output Rises 1.5%

After already expanding by 1.2% in April, industrial output in Germany increased by 1.5% in May, data published by the German Economy and Technology Ministry showed on July 7. The main factor behind the increase this month was a 3.2% increase in output in the construction sector, the ministry said in a statement.

Manufacturing output also increased by 1.5%, primarily as a result of increased output in consumer goods sector, while output in the energy sector slipped by 0.2%.

Using a two-month comparison to iron out short-term fluctuations, pan-German industrial output expanded by 1.4% in April and May combined from the figure for February and March, the ministry calculated.

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2006