European economies slow

European economies slow    Germany's economy almost stalled in the second quarter, with growth of only 0.1 percent from the first quarter (2.7 percent growth year-on-year) as it felt the effects of the European debt crisis.
   Germany's growth fell short of economists' expectations and was much less than the 1.3 percent growth in the first quarter from the previous three-month period.
   France last week reported flat economic growth.
   Economic data shows that gross domestic product in the 17-nation euro zone rose 0.2 percent from the first quarter, the worst performance since the region emerged from recession in late 2009.
   The weak economic data from two of Europe's strongest economies is raising concerns that Europe's recovery is losing steam, and along with the debt crisis has helped fuel stock market declines in the United States.
   The reduction in economic activity reduces prospects for the freight transportation and warehousing sectors.