The German economy has returned to its growth curve: In the first quarter of 2012, gross domestic product (GDP) rose 0.5% – upon price, seasonal and calendar adjustment – on the previous quarter, as reported by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis). In the last quarter of 2011, German GDP had suffered the first slight dip (–0.2%) since the 2009 economic crisis. In a year-on-year comparison, too, GDP grew in the first quarter of 2012: Price-adjusted GDP was up 1.7% on the first quarter of 2011. In calendar-adjusted terms, the increase was slightly smaller (+1.2%) because, due to the leap year, the reference ... (full story)