BERLIN - Germany's Finance Ministry says the country's economic growth likely slowed somewhat in the second quarter — pointing to weaker industrial production figures and slipping business confidence.
The German economy, Europe's biggest, grew by 0.5 per cent in the January-March period compared with the previous quarter — keeping the 17-nation eurozone out of recession.
The Finance Ministry said in its monthly report Friday that second-quarter growth likely was "somewhat lower" and said indicators point to a "moderate development" for the rest of the year.
Official second-quarter gross domestic product figures are due Aug. 14.
The ministry also says the federal government's overall spending in this year's first half declined 1.5 per cent compared with a year earlier to €148 billion ($182 billion) — helped by lower interest payments and spending on jobless benefits.
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
