Overview

• Industrial orders rose 0.6% in April from March, marking the second consecutive monthly increase.
• Domestic demand surged by 2.2% while foreign orders slipped 0.3%, with Eurozone demand up 0.5%.
• Data processing equipment, electronic and optical products, and other vehicle construction were the main contributors to the upswing.
• Analysts had forecast a 1.5% decline and called the unexpected rise a possible sign that the sector’s trough has passed.
• ECB interest rate cuts have supported the recovery, though the Economics Ministry warns that trade policy uncertainty could temper future gains.