ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment - Optimism Declines

The ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment for Germany declines in May 2015. Decreasing by 11.4 points compared to the previous month, the index now stands at 41.9 points (long-term average: 24.9 points). "Financial market experts have adjusted their optimistic expectations downward in May due to unexpectedly poor growth figures in the first quarter of 2015 and turmoil on the stock and bond markets. However, only a small number of survey participants actually expect a deterioration of the economic situation," says ZEW President Professor Clemens Fuest.

The assessment of the current situation in Germany has weakened as well. Decreasingby 4.5 points, the index now stands at 65.7 points.

The financial market experts’ sentiment concerning the economic development of the Eurozone is declining as well. ZEW's Indicator of Economic Sentiment for the Eurozone has decreased by 3.6 points to a reading of 61.2 points. Gaining 11.8 points in May 2015, the indicator for the current situation in the euro area has reached a value of minus 16.5 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 2015 (as PDF file, 28 KB).