German industrial orders fell 5.4 per cent in November, official data showed on Wednesday, in the latest sign of the headwinds facing Europe鈥檚 largest economy.
Weak global demand, fierce competition from China and high energy prices have battered Germany鈥檚 industrial sector, which accounts for about one fifth of its economic output.
November鈥檚 5.4 per cent fall in factory orders from a month earlier followed a drop of 1.5 per cent in October.
Orders fell from all parts of the world, the data showed, except in Germany where they rose by 3.8 per cent.