German exports post slower than forecast rise; imports slump

According to data the German statistics office released here on Thursday showcased that German exports grew at a slower-than-forecast rate in June. Exports climbed by 0.6 % compared with a 2-per-cent fall in May, the statistics office said. Economists had forcast a rise of 0.9 %. Imports fell 0.8 % after climbing 1.4 % in May. Analysts had predicted a 0.5 % rise. The decline in June brought to an end three consecutive monthly gains in imports. Year on year, exports were down 2.1 % in June, while imports dropped 1.2 %. The seasonally adjusted trade surplus widened to 15.7 billion euros (21 billion dollars) in June from 14.6 billion euros in May.