German factories sputter as orders dry up

Demand for goods with a 'Made in Germany' sticker on it seems to have gone soft.

New figures out Monday (December 6) showed the country's industrial orders taking a surprise tumble.

They were down 6.9% on the month in October, when analysts had forecast little change.

The drop was driven by a big decline in overseas orders.

They were down 13% on the month.

Demand from countries outside the euro zone, including China, was particularly weak, with resurgent health at least partly worries to blame.

Germany's big manufacturers have also been battered by the global shortage of computer chips and other parts.

That's led to supply bottlenecks and production problems in the country's mighty auto industry.

The domestic outlook is brighter though, with orders there up.

Analysts say demand at home should be buoyed by the new coalition government's plan for massive investment in the green economy.