It's a surprise tumble but economists say: don't be surprised.
The biggest fall in nearly eight years in German factory output blamed on special factors.
Like cold weather - and the impact of Christmas on the December reading.
"If you flip that across and look at actually factory orders, factory orders came in much better than expected."
Compared to output, factory orders did rise ten times more than expected.
A sign of a strong start to 2017 - if there are big worries about how it might end.
With Donald Trump's protectionist rhetoric edging on to the European stage ...
German unions, government and trade bodies now getting together to voice their concern.
"There's a lot at stake .... Hundreds of thousands of German jobs depend on European companies selling products in the United States - and US companies investing in Europe."
For Britain, the concern is inflation spiking on a weaker pound.
The latest retail sales survey showing consumers reining in spending last month.
Though not all see a Brexit doomsday scenario yet.
"The IMF predicted it, the Bank of England predicted it, and a whole host of economists predicted it. It hasn't happened yet."
But December retail sales already fell at their most in more than four years.
And last week the Bank of England reported a slowdown in consumer borrowing.
It may not have happened yet, but as other economists say, it could still happen.

It's a surprise tumble but economists say: don't be surprised.
The biggest fall in nearly eight years in German factory output blamed on special factors.
Like cold weather - and the impact of Christmas on the December reading.
"If you flip that across and look at actually factory orders, factory orders came in much better than expected."
Compared to output, factory orders did rise ten times more than expected.
A sign of a strong start to 2017 - if there are big worries about how it might end.
With Donald Trump's protectionist rhetoric edging on to the European stage ...
German unions, government and trade bodies now getting together to voice their concern.
"There's a lot at stake .... Hundreds of thousands of German jobs depend on European companies selling products in the United States - and US companies investing in Europe."
For Britain, the concern is inflation spiking on a weaker pound.
The latest retail sales survey showing consumers reining in spending last month.
Though not all see a Brexit doomsday scenario yet.
"The IMF predicted it, the Bank of England predicted it, and a whole host of economists predicted it. It hasn't happened yet."
But December retail sales already fell at their most in more than four years.
And last week the Bank of England reported a slowdown in consumer borrowing.
It may not have happened yet, but as other economists say, it could still happen.

다시풀기 정답보기

• 1.

  What recorded the biggest fall in nearly eight years?

  a) German factory output

  b) British consumer confidence

  c) U.S. dollar
• 2.

  What rose ten times more than expected?

  a) German factory output

  b) German factory orders

  c) German consumer spending
• 3.

  Whose protectionist rhetoric are the Germans concerned about?

  a) Donald Trump

  b) Abe Shinzo

  c) Bum Kyuson
• 4.

  What are the British concerned about?

  a) strong pound

  b) inflation

  c) mortgage rates
• 5.

  Who reined in spending last month?

  a) British consumers

  b) horse donors

  c) pardoned executives

다시풀기 정답보기