Portugal economy grows 0.5 percent in Q2

LISBON: Portugal's economy grew 0.5 percent in the second quarter, up from 0.4 percent in the previous three months, official data showed on Friday, confirming an earlier estimate.

In its second reading of gross domestic product, the National Statistics Institute (INE) also said the economy grew 2.3 percent in April-June from a year earlier, up from an expansion of 2.1 percent in the first quarter.

Domestic demand helped the yearly growth rate while investment contributed less.

Portugal's economy grew 2.7 percent in 2017, its strongest pace in 17 years, and this year the government expects a 2.3 percent expansion.