In a sign that manufacturing is once again powering growth in Germany, industrial output there rebounded in June.
It surged at its fastest pace in nearly two years with a 2.4 percent jump in output from the previous month.
That follows figures showing the strongest rise in industrial orders since October.
A pick-up in Europe’s largest economy would help boost a broader eurozone recovery.
But there are still plenty of uncertainties including softening demand from China and the weak economic outlook for Germany’s main trading partner, France.
The Economy Ministry did point out there was a slight distortion to the data from public holidays in May
But economists said the comeback, which was the strongest rise in output since July 2011, was still impressive.
A pickup is good news for conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel, who is courting votes before an election in September.