German flickers of hope may have arrived too late

Positive news: A file picture showing people passing by retail stores in Arnstadt, Germany. Orders posted a rare solid gain in September, exports as well as export prospects improved. — Bloomberg

FRANKFURT: Germany’s recent glimmer of hope after a year of industrial doldrums risks coming too late to prevent wider weakness from taking hold.

While an uptick in business expectations and a jump in factory orders have raised the prospect of stabilisation, the evidence that manufacturing malaise has begun to affect the domestic economy is mounting. Growth data this week might show Germany either in a recession or just skirting one, underlining that view.