German industrial production fell for a seventh straight month in December, official data showed Wednesday, capping a year of manufacturing weakness in Europe’s largest economy.
Output plunged by 1.6 percent month-on-month, federal statistics agency Destatis said, following a revised 0.2-percent fall in November.
Analysts surveyed by FactSet had predicted a smaller December dip of 0.35 percent.
The sharper-than-expected decline was driven by steep falls in the chemical industry and the construction sector.
The auto industry meanwhile saw a four-percent rise in production.—AFP
