German Industrial Output Down in May

German industrial production contracted in May, hit by the number of public holidays, data showed on Monday. 

According to regular data compiled by the economy ministry, industrial output decreased by 1.8 percent in May, after slipping by 0.3 percent in April. 

Activity was hit by the number of public holidays and bridging days, the ministry explained.

Manufacturing output fell by 1.6 percent and construction output was down by as much as 4.9 percent, while energy construction output expanded by 1.0 percent.

Taking the period from March to May combined to iron out short-term fluctuations, industrial output fell by 1.1 percent compared with the preceding three-month period, the ministry calculated.