France slides into recession, Germany ekes out growth
2013-05-16 10:49:53
Germany's economy crept back into growth in the first quarter of the year after a sharp contraction at the end of 2012, while France slipped into recession, data showed on Wednesday.
Italy, the euro zone's third largest economy, reported its seventh consecutive quarter of decline.
Germany grew by a weaker than expected 0.1% on the quarter, just skirting recession itself as a harsh winter prevented a stronger rebound and also hampered by the ills of its euro zone peers.