German Trade Launches into 2nd Quarter on Weak Note

German exports have launched into the second quarter on a downbeat note as demand from China and the world's leading emerging economies declined, data released on Thursday showed. 
Monthly exports from Europe's biggest economy stagnated in April after posting a solid 1.9% gain in March and a 1.4% rise in February, the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) said. 
Still, the April figure was better than expected by analysts, who had had forecast a 0.8% slump for the month. The data also raised fresh worries about the outlook for German domestic demand, with imports posting their second consecutive monthly fall in April, dpa reported. 
Imports slipped by a suprise 0.2% in April after contracting by 2.3% in March, Destatis said. Imports were unchanged in February.