The mood among Germany's businesses has surprisingly brightened somewhat in February, a closely watched index showed on Monday.
The ifo institute's business climate index increased from 96.0 points in January to 96.1 points in February, the Munich-based research institution said.
Analysts had expected a fall to 95.3 points. Any number under 100 reflects negative sentiment.
Companies evaluated their current situation with a bit more scepticism than before, but the index was bolstered by improved expectations for the coming six months.
"The German economy seems unaffected by developments surrounding the coronavirus," ifo President Clemens Fuest said in a statement.
The institute expects Germany's economy to grow by 0.2 per cent in the first quarter, based on the index and other indicators.
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