Germany’s businesses downbeat about coming months

Germany’s businesses remain mired in pessimism. The pessimism comes despite a small uptick in the latest Ifo institute survey of business sentiment, which rose slightly to 85.5 points in February from 85.2 points in January. Europe’s largest economy struggles with shortages of skilled labor, slower global trade, and political squabbling. Economists say there’s little likelihood of an upturn soon in Germany’s economy.