(ANSA-AFP) - BERLIN, MAR 25 - German business confidence rose
in March, a key survey showed Tuesday, as a massive government
spending plan promised to get Europe's largest economy rolling
once again. The Ifo institute's confidence barometer was 86.7 in
March, up from a seasonally adjusted value of 85.3 points the
previous month. The closely watched indicator plunged as
Germany's economy toiled through a prolonged slump, registering
two consecutive years in recession in 2023 and 2024. December's
reading of the Ifo barometer was its lowest since May 2020, when
businesses were facing up to the impact of coronavirus
lockdowns. But sentiment has ticked up in the new year with
companies more satisfied with current business conditions and
"noticeably" more optimistic for the future. "German businesses
are hoping for a recovery," Ifo president Clemens Fuest said in
a statement. The improvement was seen across the board, with
manufacturing, services, trade and construction all registering
increases in the survey. In Germany's vital manufacturing
sector, businesses were decidedly "less sceptical" about the
outlook, the Ifo institute said. (ANSA-AFP).
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