German factory output falls back

German industrial production fell unexpectedly in October, declining by 1.8% compared with the previous month, official figures have shown. Analysts had expected a modest rise in output, following the revised 3.1% increase in September. The figures are a further setback to German economic recovery following Monday’s figures showing a fall in factory orders in October. Germany is Europe’s biggest economy and one the world’s biggest exporters. Today’s numbers illustrate that the return to pre-crisis levels will…