BERLIN, April 24 (Reuters) - German corporate sentiment rose more strongly than expected in April as the business environment improved, a closely watched survey showed on Friday, lifting some of the gloom over Europe's largest economy. The Munich-based Ifo economic institute said its business climate index, based on a monthly poll of around 7,000 firms, rose to 83.7 from 82.2 in March. The March reading was revised up from 82.1 previously reported.
A Reuters poll of 33 economists had pointed to a reading of 82.3, with forecasts ranging from 81.7 to 84.5.