German business sentiment edges up despite downside risks

BERLIN, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- German companies began the new year with a slight improvement in sentiment, defying expectations amid ongoing economic challenges. The ifo business climate index rose slightly to 85.1 points in January after hitting a four-year low in the previous month.

The Munich-based ifo Institute attributed the uptick to a more favorable assessment of the current business situation. However, expe