The Ifo Institute said its business climate index rose to 98.7 in Oct from 96.0 in Sept. Economists polled by AFX News had forecast 96.1. The October business assessment index rose to 98.9 from 96.5 in September, compared with a consensus forecast of 96.4. The business expectations index rose to 98.5 in October from 95.5 in September, compared with a consensus forecast of 95.8. IFO president Hans-Werner Sinn said business expectations in manufacturing have "brightened further", with business expectations "more optimistic", while there is a "noticeable improvement" in the assessment of export opportunities among industrial enterprises. The business climate index also rose in the construction, wholesale and retail businesses. Sinn also said the improvement in business climate was "not as pronounced" in the eastern states of Germany as in the west.