German industrial production increases more than expected in January

BERLIN, March 8 (Reuters) – German industrial production rose significantly more than expected in January, rising 3.5% from the previous month, the Federal Statistics Office reported on Wednesday.

In a Reuters poll, analysts had pointed to a 1.4% rise for the month.

The positive development “was driven in particular by the strong growth in the manufacture of electronic equipment (…) and chemical products”, indicated the statistical office.

He added that motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts manufacturing, as well as pharmaceutical manufacturing, showed a strong negative trend.

The statistics office also said German retail sales unexpectedly fell 0.3% in real terms in January from the previous month.

Analysts polled by Reuters had forecast a 2.0% increase on a price-adjusted basis on a price-adjusted basis.

The bureau offers more detailed data on its website.

(Reporting by Friederike Heine; Editing by Paul Carrel and Matthias Williams, Spanish editing by José Munoz)