German factory production edges up in October, 2nd consecutive rise as economy seeks momentum

Industrial production in Germany edged up 0.2 percent in October, posting its second consecutive increase as Europe's biggest economy looks to put a weak patch behind it.

The Economy Ministry said Monday that the month-on-month increase followed a 1.1 percent rise in September. That was revised downward from an initial reading of 1.4 percent.

The production figures come after official data on Friday showed a much larger-than-expected increase in factory orders in October, when they rose 2.5 percent compared with the previous month in a promising sign for fourth-quarter economic growth.

Germany's economy contracted slightly in the second quarter but avoided recession with meager 0.1 percent growth in the third quarter.