German factory orders rise

German industrial orders, a key measure of demand for German-made goods both at home and abroad, showed a higher rise than expected in January after contracting the previous month, data indicated Thursday. Industrial orders were up 1.2 percent in January compared with the level in December, boosted by both domestic and foreign orders, the economy ministry said in a statement. Analysts had been projecting a more modest increase of around 0.8 percent for January after orders slipped by 0.2 percent the previous month. The ministry said that domestic orders increased by 1.6 percent and export orders were up 1.0 percent.