February 2008 

MUNICH – German business confidence unexpectedly rose in February, a key survey released Tuesday showed, as hopes increase that Europe’s biggest economy will be able to withstand the fallout from slowing global growth.

The Munich-based Ifo economic institute said its monthly index of 7,000 German executives rose to 104.1 points this month.

Analysts had predicted the closely watched index would slide in February to 102.9 points.

[Copyright dpa 2008]