By Ed FranklGermany's trade surplus narrowed in July by more than expected, reflecting weaker global demand for the country's goods as signs of an economic slowdown weigh. The country's adjusted trade surplus--representing the difference between exports and imports of goods--fell to 15.9 billion euros ($17.13 billion) in July, compared with EUR18.7 billion in June, data from the country's statistics office Destatis showed Monday. In July, exports fell 0.9% on month on a calendar and seasonally adjusted basis to EUR130.4 billion, reflecting a retreat in global demand for Germany's manufactured goods such as cars, car parts and industrial appliances. Exports had been expected to fall by 1.5%, while the overall trade balance was narrower than the EUR17.0 billion expected, according to a Wall Street Journal poll of economists. Meanwhile, imports rose by 1.4%, stronger than the 0.5% expected.

Source: Wall Street Journal September 04, 2023 06:39 UTC