German, French Slowdown Raises Risk of Europe Recession: Economy

German exports fell in October and French industrial output stagnated, adding to signs that the euro region may slide into recession as leaders struggle to solve the sovereign debt crisis.

German exports dropped 3.6 percent from September, the Federal Statistics office in Wiesbaden said today, almost three times economists’ median forecast for a 1.3 percent decline. In France, industrial production was flat in October after falling 2.1 percent a month earlier, more than the initial 1.7 percent estimate, Paris-based statistics office Insee said.