German chamber of commerce raises 2026 growth outlook to 1%
EWG•The German Chamber of Commerce and Industry raised its 2026 growth outlook to 1% from 0.3%, saying debt-financed public spending was driving much of the expansion. September industrial orders rose 4.4%, below the 4.8% analysts had expected.
1. Outlook raised
The German Chamber of Commerce and Industry lifted its 2026 growth forecast to 1% from 0.3%. Its poll of 23,000 businesses found that 26% rated current conditions as good, up 3 percentage points from early summer, while 23% rated them as poor. The chamber forecasts 1% growth in 2027.
2. Orders and industry
The chamber said infrastructure and defence spending, along with exports, were supporting growth, but Germany remained far from self-sustaining expansion. The economy grew 0.2% in the third quarter. September industrial orders increased 4.4%, below the 4.8% expected by analysts; auto industry orders rose 10.5%, reflecting weak orders in previous months as well as summer production changes and plant shutdowns.
