German manufacturing output falls but services push economy to growth
Germany’s manufacturing output fell for the fourth month in a row in May as new orders fell, according to the latest IHS Markit survey of the country’s private sector.
Read more: Eurozone sees weak growth in May amid stagnant demand
May saw the third straight monthly decrease in employment in the manufacturing sector, making the overall increase in total employment in the private sector the weakest since April 2016, today's survey results showed.
The biggest economy in Europe has struggled in recent months due to a global slowdown and fall in demand, US-China trade tensions, and new car emissions tests hurting its auto sector.
However, in a hopeful sign Germany’s private sector continued to grow at a moderate pace in May, IHS Markit said.
The moderate rise in business activity was once again driven by the service sector, which saw its output rise “at a relatively robust pace,” according to the data firm, which gauges the economy via survey questions sent out to businesses.
Yet the survey results signalled a slower increase of new business at service providers, while new manufacturing orders fell notably.
The Ifo Institute, a German think tank, today released their business climate report, which shows the mood among company managers weakened further in May due to a considerably worse assessment of the current business situation.
“The German economy is still lacking in momentum,” the institute said.
Christina Iacovides, economist at Capital Economics, called the German manufacturing sector’s May performance “very weak”.
Phil Smith, principal economist at IHS Markit, said the boost from the services sector meant “the economy is course to see sustained expansion in the second quarter”.
Read more: EU slashes its forecast for German growth as it predicts Eurozone slowdown
“It is manufacturers who remain the most downbeat about the outlook amid lingering global trade tensions,” he said.