German builders are most upbeat in 14 years

Germany's rattled construction industry sported a positive outlook for the first time in 14 years, lifted by a recovery in investments and the soccer World Cup, according to the DIHK industry and commerce association.
DIHK said in its latest report on the German industry that 24 percent of construction firms expected conditions for the sector to improve over the coming 12 months, while 15 percent forecast worsening business perspectives.
This meant that upbeat builders outstripped their downcast peers for the first time in nearly a decade and a half, DIHK said.