BERLIN (AP) — Germany’s exports rose sharply in September and factory production was also up, but experts say it may not be enough to stave off a recession.
The Federal Statistical Office reported Friday that exports rose 5.5 percent over August, in seasonally and calendar adjusted figures, almost offsetting the 5.8 percent drop the previous month. Imports rose 5.4 percent, widening the trade surplus to 18.5 billion euros.
Industrial production rose 1.4 percent over August.
Germany’s economy shrank 0.2 percent in the second quarter and many have predicted a third-quarter drop when figures come out next week — putting the country into a technical recession.
ING economist Carsten Brzeski says now it’s “not an easy bet” but that September’s “rebound was not strong enough to take away all concerns.”
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