BERLIN, June 7 (Xinhua) -- German factory orders slumped more than expected in April as overseas demand declined, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy reported Wednesday.
Factory orders fell 2.1 percent from March, much worse than the market forecast and cutting the stream of positive economic data of the largest economy in Europe.
The contraction in April was driven by a decline in demand from overseas, which slipped 3.4 percent. Particularly, orders from non-eurozone areas plunged 4.8 percent. Domestic orders dropped 0.2 percent.
March's figure was revised up to 1.1-percent growth.
German factory orders swung sharply in the last few months. It plummeted in January after a strong gain in December, rose again in February and March, and slipped in April.
Despite the volatility, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy said it saw "strong signals" for a continuing gradual upswing in the manufacturing sector. Enditem
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