The German central bank warned that the economy could contract in the fourth quarter of 2012 and the first quarter of 2013, with an average 2013 expansion of 0.4%. [With German Growth Slowing, Time to Take Some ETF Profits?]
“After a weak start to the fourth quarter of 2012, industrial production has stabilized for the time being,” the Germany Economic Ministry said in a statement, reports Moran Zhang for the International Business Times. “However, in the fourth quarter, it will probably remain below third-quarter levels.”
A recession is defined as a contraction over two consecutive quarters.
iShares MSCI Germany Index Fund
For more information on Germany, visit our Germany category.
Max Chen contributed to this article.