Markit Economics released construction purchasing managers' index (PMI) for Germany on Friday. Germany's construction PMI decreased to 53.4 in April from 55.8 in March.

A reading above 50 indicates expansion in the sector.

The index was mainly driven by a softer growth in in the commercial and civil engineering sub-sectors.

"Latest survey results signalled that the upturn in Germany's construction sector is down but not out at the start of the second quarter. The headline PMI fell to a five-month low, but remained in territory that is consistent with ongoing growth of construction output," an economist at Markit, Oliver Kolodseike, said.