Frankfurt - AFP
German industrial production grew slightly in June, driven by rising construction output, data showed on Thursday.
According to regular data compiled by the economy ministry, industrial output increased by 0.3 percent in June, after contracting by 1.7 percent in May.
Manufacturing output edged up by 0.1 percent, construction output was up by 1.2 percent and energy construction output expanded by 0.8 percent.
Taking the period from April to June combined to iron out short-term fluctuations, industrial output fell by 1.5 percent compared with the preceding three-month period, the ministry calculated.
The decline was largely attributable to the fact that activity in the first quarter had been boosted by the unusually mild winter weather, the ministry pointed out.
"In addition, geopolitical developments may have had a dampening effect," it said.
Orders and sentiment indicators "point to a moderate growth in output" in the coming months, the ministry continued.
"But the positive fundamental trend remains intact," it added.