Pages

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Key sentiment index underlines growth in Europe's largest economy

by  Associated Press German Ifo business index rises more than expected Associated Press - 27 August 2013 04:34-04:00

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — A closely watched index of German business optimism rose more than expected in August, underlining improving growth prospects for the struggling euro area.

The Ifo index released Tuesday rose to 107.5 from 106.2 in July. Market analysts had expected 107.0.

The increase in the index — the fourth monthly rise in a row — is a further sign of Germany's improving economy, which expanded a robust 0.7 percent in the second quarter from the previous quarter and helped pull the 17-country currency union out of 18 months of recession. The eurozone expanded 0.3 percent from the quarter before.

But economists say stronger growth is needed to reduce a eurozone unemployment rate of 12.1 percent and cut the heavy debt burdens afflicting governments such as Greece, Spain and Italy.

News Topics: Business, General news, Economy

People, Places and Companies: Germany, Western Europe, Europe

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. This article is published under the terms of the News Licensing Group, LLC. privacy policy, in addition to the terms of use and privacy policy for this website.


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.neurope.eu