Euro zone economy grew more than estimated in second quarter

While Germany registered nearly no growth, France expanded by 0.5% from the previous quarter and both Italy and Spain by 1.1%. Picture: Paul Hanna/Bloomberg.

The euro-area economy expanded by more than initially estimated in the second quarter, with the revision revealing greater support from consumer and government spending.

Output rose 0.8% from the previous three months -- stronger than an earlier reading of 0.6% -- as gains in consumption expenditure more than offset a drag from trade. Employment gained 0.4% during the period, separate Eurostat data showed Wednesday.