German exports bounced back, rising more than expected in February, data showed on Friday, in a sign that foreign demand for goods from Europe’s biggest economy is picking up again.

Seasonally adjusted exports rose 1.3 per cent on the month after falling two consecutive months, data from the Federal Statistics Office showed. It was the strongest increase since September. Imports edged up 0.4 per cent, widening Germany’s trade surplus to €19.8 billion.

The trade data overshot market expectations. Economists polled by Reuters had expected a weaker rebound in exports with an increase of just 0.5 per cent, and a decline in imports of 0.3 per cent.

Reuters