German business morale rose to its highest level in almost a year in April, a leading survey showed on Friday, in a sign that Europe’s largest economy has started the second quarter on a strong footing.

Ifo’s business climate index, based on a monthly survey of some 7,000 firms, climbed to 108.6 in April from 107.9 in March.

That was its highest reading since June 2014 and was slightly higher than the Reuters consensus forecast for a reading of 108.4.