FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — A key measure of German business optimism fell in June, another signal that the financial crisis could slow Europe’s biggest economy in coming months and complicate the continent’s effort to dig out of debt.
The Ifo institute index published today fell to 105.3 points in June from 106.9 the month before, worse than market analysts’ expectations for a dip to 105.6. It was the second month in a row that the index has fallen.
Germany’s export-oriented economy has been doing better than many others in Europe and grew 0.5 percent in the first quarter from the quarter before. But the survey suggests that things could get more difficult in coming months. Earlier this week, a separate survey of manufacturing activity indicated that key part of the economy is slowing.
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