Business briefs

BERLIN. German business confidence improved for a fifth consecutive month in August as the economy showed signs of recovery from its deep downturn, said the Ifo Business Climate Survey.

WASHINGTON. The government says the economy shrank at an annual rate of 1 percent in the spring, a better-than-expected showing and more evidence that the recession is drawing to a close. The Commerce Department's estimate for the change in the gross domestic product was unchanged from the initial figure it released last month. The drop, while representing a record fourth consecutive decline, was far smaller than the previous two quarters. It also was stronger than the 1.5 percent decline that private economists expected.

TOKYO. Japan's exports fell 36.5 percent in July from a year earlier as an emerging rebound in global demand lost steam, the government said. In June, shipments from Japan posted their smallest decline in six months, helping drive the world's second-biggest economy out of a yearlong recession following Honkong.

NEW YORK. Boeing says its long-delayed 787 aircraft will be ready for its first flight by year-end and its first delivery in the fourth quarter next year. The Chicago company also says it will book a third-quarter charge of $2.5 billion pretax, or $2.21 per share, related to the 787 program. Boeing's anticipated 787 passenger jet has been delayed several times due to design issues.