the german economy posted an expansion for the first quarter despite russias invasion of ukraine taking a toll on manufacturing activity and private consumption in march as energy prices jumped and supplychain disruptions deteriorated germanys gross domestic product rose by an adjusted 02 from the previous quarter according to a first estimate published friday by the countrys statistics office economists polled by the wall street journal had forecast a 01 expansion the increase was mainly due to higher capital formation while the balance of exports and imports had a downward effect on economic growth destatis said the economic consequences of the war in ukraine have had a growing negative impact on economic activity since late february the statistics agency added gdp expanded 37 on year in the first quarter on a calendar and priceadjusted basis more than the 36 forecast by economists polled by the journal the data follows the publication of first estimates for firstquarter gdp in france and spain gdp stagnated in france and expanded 03 on quarter in spain the german statistics office will publish the final results for firstquarter gdp on may 25