Official data showed a surprising growth in industrial orders in Germany in July; to its highest level since data collection began in 1991, indicating a strong start to the second half of the year in Europe's largest economy.
Data published by the Federal Statistics Office revealed that demand for goods made in Germany rose 3.4% per month after adjusting for seasonal factors.
A Reuters poll of analysts forecast a 1% monthly decline.
The data revealed that unemployment fell more than expected in August by 53 thousand after adjusting for seasonally factors to 2.538 million. A Reuters poll expected a drop of 40,000.
