… the gap between manufacturing and services widened further in September. Production growth in the goods-producing sector slowed to a 15-month low, while service sector output rose at a slightly faster pace compared to August. As has been the case since July 2013, the volume of incoming new business placed with German private sector companies rose during September, but the rate of increase eased for the fourth month running and was the weakest in one year. Slower growth was largely attributed to the manufacturing sector, where new orders contracted for the first time since June last year amid reports of a weakening economic environment.
