IN BRIEF (Page 16)

Sentiment improves

Germany's economy may have reached a low point and be poised to start a recovery, a key indicator of business sentiment suggested Tuesday.

The ZEW survey, from the University of Mannheim, said Germany's business outlook improved in March with its indicator for economic sentiment rising by 2.3 points to minus 3.5 points compared with minus 5.8 points in February. Despite the gain, the result is still well below the historic average of 26.2 points.