Eurozone grows slightly as Germany dodges recession

Economists had predicted that growth in the Eurozone would hold steady at 0.2% but it has quickened to 0.4%

The eurozone's biggest worries have centred on Germany, whose manufacturing sector is grappling with a loss of competitiveness that executives blame on high energy costs, excessive regulation, and shortages of skilled staff.

The euro area’s economy expanded more strongly than expected between July and September with even Germany avoiding the recession it was widely tipped to endure.

Growth in the 20-nation currency bloc quickened to 0.4%, while economists had predicted it would hold steady at 0.2%, as momentum in France accelerated and stayed strong in Spain. Germany’s surprise 0.2% increase in gross domestic product caught analysts off guard, though the reading for the previous three months was revised down sharply.