Surging German factory orders just added to the budding European recovery

Europe seems to be experiencing a modest recovery. German factory orders are just the latest indicator that suggests the eurozone economies are picking up some speed: Orders climbed 4.2% in December from November, and are up 3.4% on December last year. That's the strongest in six months, after a growth scare late in 2014. Here's how that looks:  It's not alone: Last week saw Spanish retail sales growing at the fastest pace in 11 years and a return to private lending growth for the first time in...