Germany: GDP increased 0.7 percent in the second quarter, more than the 0.6 percent gain forecast by economists.
France: The economy posted its best quarterly expansion since President Francois Hollande came to power in May 2012 as recovering consumer spending and exports lifted factory output.
Portugal: Racked by austerity-induced recession and the recipient of a bailout from the troika of the European Commission, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund, Portugal was the biggest surprise in the data. The economy there expanded by a robust 1.1 percent in the quarter, far above expectations, and the fastest growth of any E.U. member.
Spain: The economy shrank by just 0.1 percent, improving from a 0.5 percent decline in the first quarter.
Cyprus: Still reeling from the collapse of its banks and the troika's remedy, Cyprus' economy shrank 1.7 percent, the worst showing of any E.U. member.
News services
