German business mood improves

BERLIN, Mar 25 (AFP): Confidence among Germany's business leaders rose in March for the first time after six months of decline, according to the Ifo barometer released on Monday.

The Munich-based Ifo institute's business confidence index was up 0.9 points this month, standing at 99.6, compared to 98.7 in February, which was its lowest level in four years.

"This is the first increase after six consecutive (months) of decline," Ifo President Clemens Fuest said in a statement.

"The companies are a little happier with their current business situation. They are also noticeably more optimistic about the coming six months," said Fuest.

Indeed, a sub-index measuring companies' view of the present business situation, one of the components of the Ifo barometer, increased to 103.8 points, compared to 103.6 points in February.

This statistic, based on a survey of around 9,000 companies, comes as Germany has seen a mixed set of indicators in recent months, linked to a mix of temporary factors and more lasting fears.