German industry output suffers biggest slump since 2009 Reuters

German industrial output registeredits biggest drop in more than a decade in December, highlighting the weaknessof the manufacturing sector that is dragging on overall growth in Europe’slargest economy.

Industrial production tumbled by3.5% on the month, undershooting expectations for a 0.2% fall, figures releasedby the Statistics Office showed. The drop was the biggest since January 2009, aStatistics Office official said.

The November output reading wasrevised to an increase of 1.2% after a previously reported 1.1% rise.

Separate trade figures showedseasonally adjusted exports edged up by 0.1% on the month while imports fell by0.7% in December.

Source: Reuters