This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24937301

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
French economy contracts by 0.1% French economy contracts by 0.1%
(about 1 hour later)
The French economy contracted in the third quarter of the year and the German economy slowed, latest official figures show. The French economy contracted in the third quarter of the year and the German economy slowed, figures show.
France's economy contracted by 0.1% in the July-to-September period, compared with growth of 0.5% in the previous three months.France's economy contracted by 0.1% in the July-to-September period, compared with growth of 0.5% in the previous three months.
Germany's economy grew by 0.3% in the quarter, down from a rate of 0.7% seen in the previous three months.Germany's economy grew by 0.3% in the quarter, down from a rate of 0.7% seen in the previous three months.
Figures from Italy showed its economy shrank by 0.1%, after a 0.3% contraction in the second quarter.
Growth figures for the eurozone as a whole will be released later.Growth figures for the eurozone as a whole will be released later.
Weak exportsWeak exports
When France's economy grew by 0.5% in the second quarter of the year, it pulled the country out of recession, although economists had not expected that level of growth to be sustained.When France's economy grew by 0.5% in the second quarter of the year, it pulled the country out of recession, although economists had not expected that level of growth to be sustained.
Figures from the national statistics agency Insee showed that exports dropped by 1.5% in the third quarter, while business investment fell by 0.6%.Figures from the national statistics agency Insee showed that exports dropped by 1.5% in the third quarter, while business investment fell by 0.6%.
However, France's Finance Minister, Pierre Moscovici, said he still believed the economy would grow by 0.1-0.2% over 2013 as a whole.However, France's Finance Minister, Pierre Moscovici, said he still believed the economy would grow by 0.1-0.2% over 2013 as a whole.
"The productive forces are starting up again, production is recovering," Mr Moscovici told French radio."The productive forces are starting up again, production is recovering," Mr Moscovici told French radio.
"We knew the third quarter would mark a pause, it's not a surprise, it's not an indicator of decline, it's not a recession.""We knew the third quarter would mark a pause, it's not a surprise, it's not an indicator of decline, it's not a recession."
Germany's statistics office Destatis also cited weak exports as a factor holding back growth.Germany's statistics office Destatis also cited weak exports as a factor holding back growth.
"The positive impulses in the third quarter came exclusively from within Germany," Destatis said."The positive impulses in the third quarter came exclusively from within Germany," Destatis said.
"Private household and public spending were somewhat higher than in the preceding quarter. And investment in equipment and construction also increased compared with the second quarter."Private household and public spending were somewhat higher than in the preceding quarter. And investment in equipment and construction also increased compared with the second quarter.
"By contrast, the trade balance put a brake on GDP growth. While imports continued to rise, exports showed little momentum compared with the preceding quarter," it said."By contrast, the trade balance put a brake on GDP growth. While imports continued to rise, exports showed little momentum compared with the preceding quarter," it said.