News Summary: German business confidence rises

Published May 24, 2013 4:33pm ET



FEELING GOOD: German business confidence rebounded this month in an unexpectedly strong showing that sends a hopeful signal for more robust growth in Europe’s biggest economy.

BETTER THAN EXPECTED: The closely watched confidence index rose to 105.7 points for May from 104.4 last month. The upturn followed two consecutive declines and beat economists’ expectations of a very slight increase to 104.5.

LOOKING AHEAD: The Ifo think tank said the improvement in its survey was fueled by companies’ brighter view of their current situation, while their outlook for the next six months remained unchanged.