German finance ministry in its monthly report:

  • German economy is in a strong upswing
  • growth was weaker in early 2018 than in late 2017 (output +0.3% in Q1, +0.6% in Q4 of 2017)
  • slowdown due to temporary factors ... "macroeconomic conditions, which remain favourable, and current economic indicators suggest the economic upturn will continue."

Germany is Europe's largest economy, strength there is a factor effecting ECB decision making on exiting (or at least winding back a little) its monetary stimulus program.