HAMBURG: German business confidence unexpectedly increased in September as companies benefited from strengthening domestic demand in Europe’s largest economy, shrugging off risks from slowing growth in emerging markets.
The Ifo institute’s business climate index climbed to 108.5 from a revised 108.4 in August. The median estimate was for a decline to 107.9, according to a Bloomberg survey of economists. While the survey ran through this week, almost all responses were received before the news of Volkswagen AG’s emissions scandal which has shaken the German business community.