Germany's leading index increased further in December, but at a slower rate than in the previous month, suggesting that economic growth will remain moderate in the near term.

The leading economic index edged up 0.1 percent month-on-month to 108.2 in December, after recording a 0.5 percent rise in November and a 0.1 percent gain in October. The index has been on an upward trend throughout 2013.

The positive contributions to the leading index came from the yield spread, stock prices, and inventory change. The negative contributors were new residential construction orders, new orders in investment goods industries, and consumer confidence.

Meanwhile, the coincident economic index, which gauges the current economic situation, decreased 0.2 percent in December from the preceding month. This followed a 0.4 percent rise in November.

During the six months ended December, the leading index increased by 1.2 percent, while the coincident index stayed unchanged.

RTTNews