German business morale rose in February to its highest level since July 2011. The Munich based Ifo think tank business climate index increased to 111.3 outstripping forecasts.<br /><br />The index is based on a monthly survey of some 7,000 companies and January’s upbeat reading had economists saying the figures pointed to an economic upturn.<br /><br />The survey suggests Europe’s largest economy will grow faster in the first quarter after expanding only modestly last year.<br /><br />A positive sign from the Ifo result, said analysts showed retailers becoming the most upbeat about their current business since 2012.
