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German factory production drops in Oct as economy struggles

(ANSA-AP) - BERLIN, DECEMBER 6 - October factory production dropped in Germany over the previous month in another sign the economy, Europe's largest, is struggling. The Federal Statistical Office reported Friday that industrial production fell 1.7% in October over September when adjusted for price, seasonal and calendar factors. It was down 5.3% over October 2018. The agency reported Thursday that industrial orders in October were down 0.4%, suggesting an upturn in production is not likely in the immediate future. Germany just narrowly avoided entering a recession in the third quarter and ING economist Carsten Brzeski says the data indicate "the German economy is continuing to flirt with stagnation a nd contraction in the final quarter." "Trade conflicts, global uncertainty, and disruption in the automotive industry have put the entire German industry in a headlock, from which it is hard to escape. (ANSA-AP).