German Business Outlook Unexpectedly Drops on Subdued Growth

Germany’s business outlook slipped at the start of the year with the economy still lackluster despite the promise of big government investments to come.

An expectations index by the Ifo institute unexpectedly dropped to 89.5 from 89.7 in December, according to a Monday report. Economists in a Bloomberg survey had predicted an increase to 90.3. A measure for current conditions edged higher.