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| German economic recovery falters | German economic recovery falters |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Germany's recovery from recession faltered in the final quarter of 2009, according to preliminary figures released on Friday. | Germany's recovery from recession faltered in the final quarter of 2009, according to preliminary figures released on Friday. |
| The German economy failed to grow at all in the last three months of the year, with GDP unchanged compared with the previous quarter. | The German economy failed to grow at all in the last three months of the year, with GDP unchanged compared with the previous quarter. |
| Meanwhile, France reported a 0.6% rise in GDP for the same three-month period - better than analysts expected. | |
| Figures also showed the eurozone economy grew 0.1% in the same quarter. | |
| This represents a slowdown in the economies of the 16-nation zone, which grew by 0.4% between July and September last year. | |
| Greek crisis | |
| Official first estimates showed that the Italian economy shrank by 0.2% after growing by 0.6% in the previous quarter. | |
| They also showed that Spain and Greece remained in recession, with the Greek economy contracting by 0.8%. | |
| On Thursday after a summit in Brussels, EU leaders said Greece had to take further measures to tackle its huge debts and cut its budget deficit by 4% this year. | |
| The statement did not spell out what was meant by "determined and co-ordinated action, if needed". | |
| Greece's debt crisis has put pressure on the euro, making markets nervous. Following the German GDP figures, the euro fell further against both the pound and the dollar. | |
| Falling euro | Falling euro |
| The stall in German growth follows two consecutive quarters of growth in Europe's largest economy. | The stall in German growth follows two consecutive quarters of growth in Europe's largest economy. |
| Germany emerged from recession last summer thanks to a recovery in its exports - on which it largely relies. | Germany emerged from recession last summer thanks to a recovery in its exports - on which it largely relies. |
| We no longer have a slump, but rather a very weak recovery Gerd Hassel, economist, BHF Bank | We no longer have a slump, but rather a very weak recovery Gerd Hassel, economist, BHF Bank |
| "Exports were the only positive contribution," said the Federal Statistical Office. | "Exports were the only positive contribution," said the Federal Statistical Office. |
| The disappointing figures add to the pressure on the euro, which has weakened in recent days due to concerns about high levels of debt in some European countries, most notably Greece. | The disappointing figures add to the pressure on the euro, which has weakened in recent days due to concerns about high levels of debt in some European countries, most notably Greece. |
| European Union leaders agreed in principle on Thursday to support Greece, but no specific commitments on aid were agreed. | European Union leaders agreed in principle on Thursday to support Greece, but no specific commitments on aid were agreed. |
| 'Weak recovery' | 'Weak recovery' |
| The BBC's Tristana Moore in Berlin said the figures were "worse than expected". | The BBC's Tristana Moore in Berlin said the figures were "worse than expected". |
| Analysts were surprised by the figures, with the majority expecting modest growth in the last three months of the year. | Analysts were surprised by the figures, with the majority expecting modest growth in the last three months of the year. |
| Year-on-year, the economy shrank by 1.7%, the figures showed. | Year-on-year, the economy shrank by 1.7%, the figures showed. |
| "We no longer have a slump, but rather a very weak recovery," said Gerd Hassel, economist at BHF Bank. "The first quarter will probably turn out weak too." | "We no longer have a slump, but rather a very weak recovery," said Gerd Hassel, economist at BHF Bank. "The first quarter will probably turn out weak too." |
| Data earlier this month showed a strong rebound in German exports, with exports up for the fourth month in a row in December. | Data earlier this month showed a strong rebound in German exports, with exports up for the fourth month in a row in December. |
| That was despite an 18.4% fall in exports for 2009 as a whole - the biggest year-on-year fall since 1950, losing it the title of world's biggest exporter to China. | That was despite an 18.4% fall in exports for 2009 as a whole - the biggest year-on-year fall since 1950, losing it the title of world's biggest exporter to China. |
| Meanwhile another quarter of growth in the French economy added to optimism over the strength of France's recovery from recession. | Meanwhile another quarter of growth in the French economy added to optimism over the strength of France's recovery from recession. |
| "I think [0.6%] is really a satisfactory result that proves that the stimulus measures we took ... were efficient," said Christine Lagarde, the French economy minister, speaking to a French radio station. | "I think [0.6%] is really a satisfactory result that proves that the stimulus measures we took ... were efficient," said Christine Lagarde, the French economy minister, speaking to a French radio station. |
| Are you in Germany? What is your reaction to these figures? Does it feel like the economy is faltering? You can send us your views using the form below: | Are you in Germany? What is your reaction to these figures? Does it feel like the economy is faltering? You can send us your views using the form below: |
| A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |