BERLIN, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Exports and private consumption

helped Germany to keep growing in the third quarter of the year,

albeit at a slower rate than previously, as Europe's largest

economy feels the pinch of the euro zone crisis.

The Federal Statistics Office on Friday confirmed that

German gross domestic product growth slowed to 0.2 percent in

the three months to end-October, after expanding by 0.3 percent

in the second, as companies postpone investments due to the

uncertainty of the crisis.

KEY DATA

GERMAN GDP CHANGE Q3 2012 vs Q2 2012 vs

Q2 2012 Q1 2012

GDP change +0.2 +0.3

Private consumption +0.3 +0.1 (+0.4)

Public consumption +0.4 -0.2 (+0.2)

Capital equipment spending +0.2 -2.1 (-2.3)

Construction investment -2.0 -4.0 (-0.3)

Exports +1.4 +3.3 (+2.5)

Imports +1.0 +2.2 (+2.1)

ECONOMIST COMMENTS

HOLGER SCHMIEDING, BERENBERG BANK

'We see some strength in construction investments from the

building of private housing, but businesses are investing less

in machines and other equipment. The only explanation for that

is a crisis of confidence - which means the German economy will

lose more speed. The tough savings measures in southern Europe,

weaker growth in China and uncertainty over the euro crisis are

all contributing factors.

'In the best-case scenario the German economy may stagnate

in the fourth quarter. Thanks to the energetic action of the ECB

and improving growth in China, this decline could be over by

early next year.'

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BACKGROUND

* For a story on Germany's private sector contracting for a

seventh straight month, please click on

* For a story on German analyst and investor morale sinking

in November, please click on

* For a story on German exports sliding in September, please

click on

* For a story on German output sliding by 1.8 percent on the

month in September, please click on

* For a story on industry orders falling 3.3 percent

month-on-month in September, please click on

* For a story on German retail sales jumping more than

forecast in September, please click on

* For a story on German joblessness rising for a seventh

month in October, please click on

* For a story on German inflation holding steady in October,

please click on

* For a story on Germany's government cutting its growth

forecast for 2013, please click on

(Reporting by Berlin bureau)

Keywords: GERMANY ECONOMY/GDP

(MichelleHannah.Martin@thomsonreuters.com)(+49 30 2888 5223)

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