Energy prices rose amid Middle East tensions, and a Friday survey showed German
consumer confidence is set to slip to -30.6 in October from -26.8 in September,
the weakest reading since May. Survey head Rolf Birkel said most households
expect higher energy costs to erode purchasing power, leaving them more
pessimistic about income over the next 12 months. Consumers' income expectations
fell to their lowest since April, while reported willingness to save increased.