The outlook for European trade remains bright. Export optimism improved among Germany’s managers in September, with the net balance seeing an expansion reaching 18.7% from 18.2%. While taken before the elections, the survey showed a marked drop in automakers’ outlook with a reading of 4% down from 35% two months ago. Metals meanwhile improved while electronics hit the highest since January 2011. Germany’s improvement comes alongside expectations in France that continued at their highest since June 2011, while British managers saw a small drop to a still-positive 10%.