Business morale

Published June 28, 2005

FRANKFURT, June 27: Business sentiment in Germany improved for the first time for five months in June, a new poll showed Monday, as industry leaders looked to a weaker euro and possible change in government as a way out of the country’s current economic impasse. Nevertheless, with confidence still at historically low levels even after this month’s improvement, the eurozone’s biggest economy was not out of the woods yet, analysts here said.

The widely watched German business climate index, calculated each month by the Ifo economic research institute, rose to 93.3 points in June from 92.9 points in May, Ifo said in a statement.

The slight improvement, following four monthly declines in a row, was exactly in line with analysts’ expectations, given the fall in the value of the euro and the prospect of an early general election in the autumn.

“Companies believe that reforms will be implemented,” said Ifo expert.—AFP

Opinion

Editorial

Doctor attacked
09 Jun, 2026

Doctor attacked

AN act of reprehensible violence has shaken the medical community. On Saturday, an employee of the Provincial Civil...
AJK flare-up
Updated 09 Jun, 2026

AJK flare-up

The situation started deteriorating after a trader affiliated with the JAAC was reportedly shot in an altercation with law-enforcers.
Fault lines
09 Jun, 2026

Fault lines

THE April 8 ceasefire that halted hostilities between Israel and Iran has encountered its most serious test yet....
Soft on traders
08 Jun, 2026

Soft on traders

THE Fixed Tax Asaan Scheme for traders with an annual turnover of up to Rs200m has been designed as a ‘pragmatic...
Ceasefire in name
Updated 08 Jun, 2026

Ceasefire in name

Both sides accuse the other of violating the truce that was supposed to halt the conflict in April, yet neither appears willing to abandon negotiations altogether.
Damaged childhoods
08 Jun, 2026

Damaged childhoods

CHILD abuse is so prevalent that the UN ranked Pakistan as the least safe country for children. Even so, more than...