Germany returns to growth helped by construction and consumption

The German economy returned to growth in the first quarter, helped by higher household spending and a booming construction industry, preliminary data showed on Wednesday.

Gross domestic product (GDP) in Europe's largest economy expanded by 0.4 per cent quarter-on-quarter, the Federal Statistics Office said. This was in line with analysts' expectations.

Compared with the same quarter of the previous year, the economy grew 0.7 per cent, calendar-adjusted data showed. This was also in line with the forecast.

Economy minister Peter Altmaier told Reuters that the growth figures were a "first ray of hope" following two quarters without expansion, but this was no reason to give the all-clear.

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“The international trade disputes are still unresolved. We must do everything possible to find acceptable solutions that enable free trade,” Mr Altmaier said.

Mr Altmaier, a confidant of conservative chancellor Angela Merkel, repeated a call to support companies by cutting red tape and taxes. Finance minister Olaf Scholz, a Social Democrat, has declined to cut corporate taxes.

The Statistic Office said growth was mainly driven by construction and increased household spending.

It confirmed that the German economy contracted by 0.2 per cent in the third quarter of last year and stagnated in the fourth. – Reuters