BERLIN—German business morale worsened for the second consecutive month in June, a survey showed on Monday, indicating that Europe’s largest economy faces an uphill battle to shake off recession. The Ifo institute said its business climate index fell to 88.5 this month from 91.5 in May. A Reuters poll of analysts had predicted a smaller…

BERLIN—German business morale in August fell to its lowest reading since June 2020 amid high uncertainty due to the Ukraine war, the resulting energy crisis, and fears of an economic downturn in the third quarter, a survey said on Thursday. The Ifo institute’s closely watched business climate index fell for a third consecutive month but…

BRUSSELS—Eurozone economic sentiment fell by slightly less than expected in June as consumers and retail trade became more downbeat but spirits among industrial and services sectors improved. The European Commission’s monthly survey showed economic sentiment in the 19 countries sharing the euro slipped to 104.0 in June from 105.0 in May. Economists polled by Reuters…

WASHINGTON—U.S. small business confidence fell to an 11-month low in January amid persistent worker shortages and higher prices for materials, a survey showed on Tuesday. The National Federation of Independent Business said its Small Business Optimism Index dropped 1.8 points to 97.1 last month, the lowest reading since February 2021. Scarce workers and rising labor…

NEW YORK—The dollar dipped on Wednesday as risk sentiment improved and as investors focused on rising commodity prices and when global central banks are likely to begin hiking interest rates to fend off persistently high inflation. The greenback hit a one-year high against a basket of other currencies last week as market participants ramped up…

DUBLIN—Irish consumer sentiment remained steady in September just below the two-year high recorded in June, a survey showed on Thursday, as the government prepared to lift almost all pandemic restrictions within weeks. The government has named Oct. 22 as its target date to drop most restrictions, with more than 90 percent of the adult population…

HONG KONG—Hong Kong’s retail sales climbed for the seventh straight month in August, helped by a stabilising COVID-19 situation, an improved labour market, and economic recovery and thanks to a boost from a consumption voucher scheme (CVS). Retail sales in August rose 11.9 percent from a year earlier to HK$28.6 billion ($3.67 billion), government data…

BRUSSELS—Euro zone economic sentiment edged higher in September after a fall in August, boosted by optimism among consumers and in the industry and construction sectors, while inflation expectations continued to rise among manufacturers and consumers alike. The European Commission’s economic sentiment indicator rose to 117.8 in September, from 117.6 in August, after hitting an all-time…

U.S. consumer sentiment steadied in early September after plunging the month before to its lowest level in nearly a decade, but consumers continue to have a bleak view of the outlook amid a stiff bout of inflation, a survey showed on Friday. The University of Michigan said its consumer sentiment indexedged up to 71 in…

A new Axios-Ipsos poll found that 81 percent of the people who responded to the poll said that they are “proud to be an American.” The poll also found that 79 percent of respondents believe that “America is falling apart.” The survey (pdf), conducted on a representative sample of over 1,000 adults between Jan. 11-13,…