Britain and Germany reported surprisingly optimistic economic data on Friday, offering a welcome respite from the otherwise gloomy outlook around the world.

    Britain stunned economists with a 1.1 percent increase in its gross domestic product in the second quarter from the first quarter, according to the Office for National Statistics. That was almost twice the rate that had been expected. Economic growth in Britain in the quarter was the result of a 0.9 percent increase of services, which makes up the bulk of Britain’s gross domestic product.

    In Germany, business confidence rose in July to its highest level since reunification. The euro and the pound rose against the dollar on Friday.

    What is still unclear is whether the figures illustrate just a temporary improvement in an economic environment that continues to struggle with lack of credit and the prospect of lower government spending, or whether they are a sign that investors and economists alike have been overly pessimistic about the strength of the economy.

    <<<背景介绍

    英国和欧洲大陆各国的经济是否已经足够强势，能够抵挡遍及欧洲各国的紧缩计划，以及银行体系稳定惜贷的双重挑战，仍然是各方关注的焦点。德国经济依靠制造业产品的强劲出口，已经迎来了强势反弹，快于各欧洲邻国。最新的数据让英格兰银行货币政策委员会大吃一惊，因为其决策者本月初曾声称，强势经济的前景“有所恶化”。