📣 Send us your press release
Site updates every 15 minutes
Professional Services

SME business climate continues to rise

The SME business climate rose for the fifth consecutive month in September, reaching -8.1 points. Both current situation assessment and future expectations saw improvements.

10 October 2026
SME business climate continues to rise

Frankfurt – The business climate for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Germany continued its upward trend for the fifth consecutive month in September, according to the KfW-ifo SME Barometer. The index rose to -8.1 points from -12.5 points in the previous period, signaling sustained economic recovery.

The survey indicates simultaneous improvements in both companies' assessment of their current situation and their business expectations for the next six months. Notably, export and employment expectations among SMEs have also continued to improve, with export expectations now exceeding their long-term average.

This sustained positive momentum suggests that the economic recovery in Germany is gaining traction. While the overall business climate remains in negative territory, the consistent rise and the strengthening of key indicators point towards a more optimistic outlook for the German economy.

The KfW-ifo SME Barometer, published by KfW Research, is a key indicator tracking the sentiment and outlook of the SME sector, providing crucial insights into the broader economic landscape.

Original source: kfw.de