Germany's manufacturing sector continued to lack dynamism as the fourth quarter got underway, according to the latest HCOB PMI® survey. A further, albeit slower, increase in output was seen alongside a slight uptick in new orders. However, business expectations extended their recent slide to fall to the lowest so far this year, while workforce numbers were cut once again. Buying levels were also pared back as firms looked to run down stocks, but lead times on purchases nevertheless increased for the second month running. The latest data did however show a modest rise in prices charged by German goods producers, to ... (full story)