A bigger-than-expected fall in industrial production together with a sharp decline in factory orders in Germany in March suggested that the first quarter economic performance was weaker than the official estimate, deepening the fears of recession.
Largely reflecting the contraction in auto production, industrial output dropped 3.4 percent from February, when production increased by a revised 2.1 percent, Destatis reported Monday. Economists had forecast a monthly fall of 1.3 percent in March.
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April 24, 2026 15:15 ET Economics news flow was relatively light this week even as the conflict in the Middle East continued, raising concerns for policymakers. In the U.S., spending data, initial jobless claims and pending home sales were the highlights. Business confidence in the biggest euro area economy was in focus in Europe. Inflation data from Japan gained attention in Asia.