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

BERLIN – 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.