Germany's Federal Employment Agency said on Friday seasonally adjusted
Unemployment rose by 4,000 in August to 2.996 million, versus a market-expected
increase of 5,000. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged
at 6.4%. Not seasonally adjusted unemployment stayed above 3.0 million for a
second month. Agency head Andrea Nahles said: "Even in August, beyond the usual
seasonal changes, the labor market showed almost no vitality. This continues
the weakness seen in recent months."