• But Have Not Achieved A Time Limit To Backstop From EU

China's exports and imports in December declined at the worst rates in two years, adding to evidence of a rapid slowdown in the economy amid the trade war with the US and weakening global activity.

Exports dropped 4.4 percent year-on-year in December, according to rttnews. That was in contrast to the 3 percent gain economists had predicted.

Imports decreased 7.6 percent from a year ago, defying expectations for a 5 percent rise.

Both exports and imports outcome was the worst since 2016. In December, the trade surplus was $57.1 billion.

In November 2018 compared with October 2018, seasonally adjusted industrial production fell by 1.7% in the euro area (EA19) and by 1.3% in the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat.

In October 2018, industrial production increased by 0.1% in both the euro area and in the EU28. In November 2018 compared with November 2017, industrial production fell by 3.3% in the euro area and by 2.2% in the EU28.  

Among Member States for which data are available, the largest decreases in industrial production were observed in Ireland (-7.5%), Portugal (-2.5%), Germany and Lithuania (both -1.9%).The highest increases were registered in Estonia (+4.5%), Greece (+3.1%) and Malta (+2.6%).

• OPEC Seeks Improved Relations With U.S. via Proposed Lobbying Effort

• OPEC Debates Merits of First-Ever Washington Outreach Effort

• Says Present Fundamentals Are Clearly Trending in Right Direction

• Kingdom Has Gone Beyond Its Commitments

• Kingdom's Efforts Should Have Positive Impact on Inventories

• Shale Oil Won't Sustainability Depress Market

• Says Convinced Market Will Quickly Return to Balance

• If More Needs to Be Done, We Will So

• High Oil Prices Not healthy

In 2018 the average index of selling prices in wholesale trade was 2.7% higher than the average index of 2017, as reported by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis)

In December 2018 the index increased by 2.5%, compared with December 2017. In November 2018 and in October 2018 the annual rates of change had been +3.5% and +4.0%, respectively.

From November 2018 to December 2018 the index fell by 1.2%.