German Manufacturing Slides

Europe's largest economy running out of steam

German manufacturing, the locomotive of Europe's largest economy, is running out of steam three years into the euro zone debt crisis, which has clobbered orders and output.

Data on Wednesday showed output slid by 1.8 percent on the month in September, more than forecast and the sharpest drop since April. A day earlier, data had shown industrial orders fell 3.3 percent month-on-month in September.

Economic advisers to the government, traditionally known as the "wise men", said Germany's economy would probably hit a low-point this quarter and grow just 0.8 percent this year and next, mirroring forecasts published by the European Commission on Wednesday.