According to the preliminary data released by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, in March this year price, calendar and seasonally adjusted industrial production in Germany increased 1.2 percent compared to the previous month, following a revised 0.6 percent increase in January compared to February.
According to the ministry report, production decreased by 3.1 percent in the construction sector in March due to the exceptionally cold weather, while capital goods manufacturers increased their production by 2.1 percent and intermediate goods producers increased their output by 0.6 percent, all compared to the previous month.
In the first quarter of the current year, overall German industrial production was up by 0.2 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2012. In particular, capital goods production had a significantly positive impact on the total increase, while the weather-related decline in construction had a noticeable dampening effect.
The ministry report added that the improving job situation in German industry and the rising demand in the construction sector could give further impetus to the manufacturing sector in the coming months.