Slight Decline in Economic Sentiment

The ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment for Germany has declined slightly in May 2016. The index has decreased by 4.8 points compared to the previous month, now standing at 6.4 points (long-term average: 24.4 points)."The strong growth of the German economy in the first quarter of 2016 appears to have surprised the financial market experts. However, they seem not to expect the economic situation to improve at the same pace going forward. Uncertainties regarding developments such as a possible Brexit currently inhibit a more optimistic outlook," says Professor Achim Wambach, PhD, President of ZEW.

The assessment of the current situation in Germany is improving. Growing by 5.4 points, the index now stands at 53.1 points.

Financial market experts’ sentiment concerning the economic development of the Eurozone has dropped. The Indicator of Economic Sentiment for the Eurozone has decreased by 4.7 points to a reading of 16.8 points. Gaining 2.9 points in May 2016, the indicator for the current situation in the Eurozone has reached a value of minus 9.2 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).