Three Months Later, Business Confidence Still Low

German business confidence has failed to improve since February, according to the latest figures from the German industry and trade association, DIHK. Rising global demand for German goods has only helped parts of the economy, a survey of more than 22,000 small and mid-sized companies showed. A minority of executives rated the current business situation as "good'' -- just 19 percent in April and May, unchanged from the last survey in February, the Berlin-based group said. Twenty-eight percent of companies expect business conditions to improve, down from 32 percent four months ago. "The economy is still robust, but clouds are starting to cover the economic horizon,'' the DIHK told news agencies.