German industrial output posted an unexpected 1.8% rise in January, according to seasonally-adjusted figures released by the German economy ministry.
Analysts had forecast an increase of just 0.2%.
Meanwhile the ministry provided a second surprise by revising figures for December higher, from 0.8% to 1.5%.
A breakdown of the data showed that core industrial production grew 1.9% in January, while construction expanded 11.7% and energy fell 5.6%.
A two-month comparison that helps to smooth out one-off variations showed overall industrial output increased by 2.3% in December and January, compared with October and November.
