German exporters' confidence rose in August to a four-and-a-half-year high as
demand from EU partners lifted the IFO export expectations index to 9.6 from
-2.8 in July — the largest one-month improvement in over six years and the
highest reading since Feb 2022. The survey cited stronger sentiment at
data-processing equipment, electrical equipment and auto firms; IFO said
exports, especially to the EU, are accelerating. Official data on Tuesday showed
Q2 GDP expanded more than initially estimated, partly driven by robust exports,
providing further evidence of stabilising growth despite deep strains in the
auto sector.
