German Industry Sees Surprise Uptick in December Orders

New orders rose by 6.9% in December, driven by large-scale contracts, though long-term trends remain challenging.

Germany's industrial sector recorded a 6.9% rise in new orders in December 2024 compared to the previous month, exceeding analyst expectations of a 2% increase.
The surge was largely fueled by significant orders in sectors such as aircraft, ships, trains, and military vehicles, which grew by 55.5%.
Excluding large-scale contracts, the overall increase in orders was more modest at 2.2%, highlighting a more tempered recovery.
While December's figures offer a positive sign, total orders for 2024 were still 3% lower than in 2023, reflecting ongoing challenges for the sector.
Economic experts view the data as a potential stabilization, though not a full recovery, as Germany's broader economy continues to face slow growth projections for 2025.