The German economy grew at a slower pace in the first quarter of the year, data released by Destatis showed Wednesday.
Gross domestic product rose 0.3 percent sequentially, slower than the 0.7 percent expansion seen a quarter ago. It was also weaker than the 0.5 percent growth forecast by economists.
According to provisional calculations, positive contributions came mainly from domestic demand, while foreign trade had a downward effect. Households and general government increased their spending. Capital formation also increased from the prior quarter.
On a price-adjusted basis, annual growth eased to 1.1 percent from 1.6 percent in the fourth quarter. This was the slowest growth since the second quarter of 2014. Economists had forecast 1.2 percent growth.
GDP adjusted for calendar effects advanced 1 percent from last year, slower than the 1.4 percent expansion seen in the fourth quarter.
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