Industrial Output Falls in Spain, Germany

Production at Spain's factories, mines and utilities, which dropped 7.5% from February to March, sank 8.3% in April, according to the country's National Statistics Institute.

April marked Spain's sharpest decline in industrial output since October 2009. Production of durable goods and capital equipment plunged 17% and 15%, respectively, in April.

Germany's industrial production, which rose 2.2% month over month in March, unexpectedly fell 2.2% in April. Output of capital and consumer goods slide 3.6% and 3.7%, respectively.

Economists say the declining output shows that Germany, Europe's strongest economy, is being hurt by the slowdown in the rest of the region.