German business sentiment posts surprise 6th drop in a row

BERLIN, Oct 24 (Reuters) - German business sentiment dropped
for the sixth successive month in October, in a surprise fall
that was bigger than even the lowest forecasts, signalling that
the euro zone debt crisis is hitting home in Europe's largest
economy.
The Munich-based Ifo think tank said on Wednesday its
business climate index, based on a monthly survey of some 7,000
firms, fell to 100.0 in October from 101.4 in September.
A Reuters poll of 45 economists had forecast a slight rise to
101.5, with figures ranging 100.4 to 102.5.