Economic Outlook Improves

The ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment for Germany has increased for the second time in a row in April 2016. The index has gained 6.9 points compared to the previous month, now totaling 11.2 points (long-term average: 24.5 points). "Surprisingly positive economic news from China seems to have improved the sentiment amongst financial market experts. On balance, however, the continued poor growth in China and other important emerging markets continues to be a burden for the German export industry. Furthermore, concern about Great Britain’s possible exit from the EU seems to be having a negative impact", comments Professor Sascha Steffen, Head of the Research Department "International Finance and Financial Management" at ZEW.

Assessment of the current situation in Germany is worsening. The index has fallen by 3.0 points and now stands at 47.7 points.

Financial market experts‘ expectations in regard to developments in the Eurozone are improving. The Indicator of Economic Sentiment has recovered by 10.9 points, reaching 21.5 points. The indicator for the current situation in the euro area fell by 0.3 points in April 2016, to minus 12.1 points.

For more information please contact

Dominik Rehse, Phone +49(0)621/1235-378, E-mail rehse@zew.de

Jesper Riedler, Phone +49(0)621/1235-379, E-mail riedler@zew.de

More information and studies on the ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment and the release dates 2016 (as PDF file, 28 KB).