Germany: Does the eurozone's powerhouse need a 'green' power surge?

Solution to bolstering the country's slowing economy

Germany largely owes its reputation as the powerhouse of the eurozone to its successful record of manufacturing 'complex' products in the fields of electrical engineering, electronics, automotive and chemicals.

Yet, the German economy is unquestionably slowing down. The German Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index, an important economic indicator, recently dropped to 44.1 (anything below 50 signifies contraction), which is the lowest reading since July 2012. This is the latest disappointment in a series of worryingly soft economic data points. Bond market woes In bond markets, increasing fears of a slowdown are evident. The 10-year bund dropped back into negative yield territory in March, with investors - once again - having to pay for the privilege of buying the country's sovereign ...