According to the preliminary data released by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, in November last year price, calendar and seasonally adjusted industrial production in Germany was up 0.2 percent compared to the previous month, following a revised two percent increase in October compared to September.

According to the ministry report, in November production increased by 0.4 percent in the manufacturing industry and by one percent in construction, while it was offset by a reduction in energy production, month on month.

In the two months of October and November, the working day adjusted production in the manufacturing industry rose by three percent, compared to the same two months of 2011. In October-November 2012, production in the manufacturing industry rose 3.6 percent, while in construction production was up by 0.9 percent, both year on year.

After a weak start to the final quarter of 2012, production in the manufacturing sector initially stabilized. However, it is expected that the fourth quarter will remain below the level of the third quarter of 2012. The development of incoming orders and the slight improvement of sentiment indicators suggest, however, more favorable production prospects for 2013.