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 The Munich-based Ifo think tank's business climate index, based on a
monthly survey of some 7,000 companies, fell to 106.3 from 108,
undershooting the Reuters consensus forecast of 107.
That was its lowest level since last July and marked the longest
period of successive monthly declines in the index since the height
of the euro zone crisis in 2012.
The reading raised doubts about the strength of the economy after a
surprise second-quarter contraction, sending the euro to a day's low
against the dollar and pushing German Bund futures up to a day's
high.
"The crisis in Ukraine, but also the disappointing recovery in the
euro zone, are weighing on confidence and thus investment,"
Berenberg Bank senior economist Christian Schulz said.
"German growth could still recover quickly if the tensions in
eastern Ukraine were to subside. But that remains a distant
prospect, suggesting that economic weakness will persist," he said.
German gross domestic product (GDP) shrank by 0.2 percent between
April and June and the finance ministry has partly blamed this on
the Ukraine crisis and sanctions against Russia. Growth in the euro
zone ground to a halt in the same period.
Ifo economist Klaus Wohlrabe said Ifo expected growth to be "close
to zero" in the third quarter, many economists having forecast that
Germany would regain momentum in that period.
He said Ukraine was burdening the economy, though the impact was
hard to quantify and Germany was still far from recession, and that
companies which had business relations with Russia were, on average,
more pessimistic than those which did not.
"There's more uncertainty for them - it's psychology above all that
plays a role in that," he said, noting that if the Ukraine conflict
were to be resolved, it would help exporters, particularly
manufacturers of capital goods.
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Germany has extensive business ties with Russia, with more than
6,000 German firms active there. About 10 percent of German
exporters send goods to Russia and some of those are concerned that
the standoff between Moscow and the West over Ukraine will hurt
their business.
Consumer goods group Henkel has forecast a tough six months
ahead with political turmoil in Russia, and German defence firm
Rheinmetall has cut its profit outlook.
The value of German shipments to Russia fell 15.5 percent to 15.3
billion euros ($20.2 billion) in the first six months of the year,
led by a sharp fall in car and machinery shipments and Ifo said
manufacturers were expecting less impetus from exports.
"This significant (Ifo) drop leaves no doubt about it - the German
economy has passed its peak for now," VP Bank Group chief economist
Thomas Gitzel said.
"Geopolitical risks are unnerving German firms but even without the
various conflicts it would not have been possible for the German
economy to grow more," he said.
(Editing by Louise Ireland)
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