German industrial production slipped unexpectedly in November and exports fell more sharply than predicted as Europe's largest economy weakened near the end of 2014, official data showed Friday.
Exports dropped 2.1 per cent in November compared with the previous month to 95.2 billion euros ($113 billion), the Federal Statistical Office said. Experts had been predicting a 0.15 per cent drop. Imports rose 1.5 per cent to 77.6 billion euros, narrowing the country's trade surplus to 17.7 billion euros.
The statistical office also reported that factory production dropped 0.1 per cent in November from the previous month in seasonally adjusted terms. Economists had been predicting a 0.3 per cent rise.
However, the office revised its October production figure upward to a 0.6 per cent month-on-month increase from the original reading of 0.2 per cent.
ING-DiBa economist Carsten Brzeski said the releases provide "further evidence that the German economy has not yet fully recovered from the soft spell of the summer."
But, he said, "the economy should gain more momentum in the coming months."
Germany is expected to show modest fourth-quarter growth. Year-end GDP figures for Germany, Europe's largest economy, are due on Jan. 15.
This content appears as provided to The Globe by the originating wire service. It has not been edited by Globe staff.