German industrial production rises

The German economy appears to have had a good start to the fourth quarter. Following a report on Tuesday that factory orders rose 5.2 percent in October, Wednesday brought news that German industrial production rose by a better-than-expected 0.8 percent that month.

Italy was not so fortunate. Industrial production there fell 0.9 percent in October.

It was similarly negative in the UK, where industrial production fell 0.7 percent in October.

Even as European economies turn down, Japan's economy is also looking shaky. Its index of coincident economic indicators rose 1.3 points in October but the leading index was flat.