Eurozone reports sluggish growth, failing to meet expectations

Geopolitical uncertainties surrounding Brexit, US economic policy and European elections are likely to stunt economic expansion in the year ahead

The German economy expanded less than expected in the final three months of 2016, dragging down growth in the 19-nation eurozone.

Europe's largest economy expanded by 0.4% between October and December, according to the German statistics office, Destatis. This was lower than the 0.5% forecast by economists. German growth in the third quarter was revised lower too, to 0.1% from 0.2%.

Related: Eurozone growth rises to 0.5%; Trump adviser claims euro 'grossly undervalued'- as it happened

Related: Eurozone consumer spending slows but exports rise