German mechanical engineering companies continue to struggle with a weakening investment mood among customers.

In May, incoming orders fell by ten percent compared to the same month last year, the German Engineering Federation (VDMA) announced on Monday. The traditionally important foreign business recorded a drop of 18 percent, while domestic orders increased by nine percent. "Without the large-scale plant business, there would also have been a sharp drop in domestic orders," explained VDMA Chief Economist Ralph Wiechers. The downward trend of recent months continued in May. "Our picture of persistently weak global investment demand is confirmed."

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