German factory output rises

German industrial production unexpectedly increased for a third month, the latest signal that a recovery might be taking hold in Europe’s biggest economy.

- ALEXANDER WEBER

Output rose 0.8% from the previous month in November, compared to an upwardly revised 2% gain in October, Destatis said in a statement. Analysts polled by Bloomberg had anticipated a drop of 0.7%.

The advance was “mainly” driven by the country’s all-important car industry, with gains also seen at machinery-related companies, the statistics agency said. Those increases helped offset a drop in energy production.