German Business Sentiment Hits Four-Year High

Germany's top business leaders painted an upbeat picture Wednesday as a key sentiment indicator matched the highest level four years amid improving prospects in Europe's biggest economy.

The Ifo Institute's benchmark Business Climate Index was measured at 111.0 in February -- matching a four-year high -- and well ahead of the 109.6 reading forecast by analysts and up from a 109.8 reading in January. The Institute's survey of current conditions for the 7,000 company executives remained steady at 116.9 points against a forecast of 116.7 while the index of expectations for the next six months improved to 104.0 from 103.2 in the previous month.