Economics
German Business Confidence Unexpectedly Gains on Outlook
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German business confidence unexpectedly climbed to the strongest level in 2 1/2 years in a sign that growth in Europe’s largest economy may accelerate.
The Ifo institute’s business climate index, based on a survey of 7,000 executives, advanced to 111.3 in February from 110.6 in January. That’s the fourth monthly gain and the strongest reading since July 2011. Economists predicted a decline to 110.5, according to the median of 41 estimates in a Bloomberg News survey.