BERLIN (AP) — Official figures show that the German economy returned to growth in the first quarter of 2019 on the back of solid consumer spending and a construction boom in Europe's largest economy.

The Federal Statistical Office reported Wednesday that the country's economy grew by 0.4% in the first quarter from the previous three-month period.

ING economist Carsten Brzeski says the rebound suggests any panic about the state of German economy was overblown but that there is no room for complacency.