German business morale hits top level in 2-1/2 years

German business morale climbed in January to its highest level since July 2011, suggesting Europe's largest economy is on track for a strong start to 2014 after growing only modestly last year. The Munich-based Ifo think tank's business climate index, based on a monthly survey of some 7,000 firms, rose for a third straight month to 110.6, beating a Reuters consensus forecast for 110.0 and up ...