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German economy unexpectedly shrinks in second quarter

(ANSA-AFP) - FRANKFURT, 30 LUG - The German economy unexpectedly shrank in the second quarter, preliminary data showed Tuesday, pouring cold water on hopes of a tentative recovery in Europe's largest economy. Output contracted slightly by 0.1 percent compared with the previous three months, federal statistics office Destatis said, after expanding by 0.2 percent in the first quarter. The second-quarter data surprised analysts surveyed by FactSet who had forecast 0.1 percent growth. The April-to-June period noticeably saw a decline in investments in equipment and construction, Destatis said. (ANSA-AFP).