Germany posts surprise trade surplus rise in April

Germany reported an unexpected month-on-month trade surplus rise in April after an increase in exports, according to official data published on Monday.

The country's adjusted trade surplus increased to £18.4bn from a revised £14.9bn.

April exports rose 1.2% month on month on a calendar and seasonally adjusted basis to £130.4bn, driven by higher demand for manufacturing goods. Imports fell 1.7% to £112bn.

Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com