The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) reported that the German GDP shrank by 0.2% in the third quarter (vs the second quarter) of 2018. Growth was +1.1% on the same quarter a year earlier following increases of 2.3% in the second quarter (calendar adjusted: +2.0%) and 1.4% in the first quarter of 2018 (calendar adjusted: +2.1%).
The slight quarter-on-quarter decline in the gross domestic product was mainly due to the development of foreign trade. According to provisional calculations, exports were down while imports were up in the third quarter of 2018 compared with the second quarter of the year. As regards domestic demand, there were mixed signals. While gross fixed capital formation both in machinery and equipment and in construction was higher than in the previous quarter, final consumption expenditure of households declined. Government final consumption expenditure was slightly higher than in the previous quarter.
Eurozone growth
We reported earlier that Eurozone Q3 2018 growth is estimated at 0.2% but with Italy having grown 0%, German GDP falling 0.2% and France growing at just 0.4% will the growth number for Eurozone be revised downwards? Possibly
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U.S. Q3 2018 GDP estimated at 3.5% as consumer spending boosts growth but business spending stalls