German business sentiment surprised with a rise in November, breaking a six-month run of declines as companies in Europe's powerhouse economy turned slightly more optimistic about their current business and expectations despite the euro zone crisis. 

The Munich-based Ifo think tank said on Friday its business climate index, based on a monthly survey of some 7,000 firms, rose to 101.4 in November from 100.0 in October. 

That surpassed even the highest estimate in a Reuters poll of 41 economists, which had forecast a drop to 99.5, with figures ranging from 98.5 to 100.3