The Ifo Business Climate for trade and industry in Germany continued to improve in December after stabilising in the previous month. Survey participants’ responses showed that their assessment of the current business situation continues to remain favourable. Business expectations improved for the second time in succession. The German economy seems to be successfully countering the downturn in Western Europe. This bodes well for Christmas. In manufacturing the business climate remains unchanged. Manufacturing firms may assess their current business situation as slightly less positive than in November, but there is no ... (full story)