Expectations Remain Almost Unchanged While Situation Worsens
ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment
The ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment for Germany recorded an increase of 1.6 points in February 2019, and now stands at minus 13.4 points. Although the indicator has improved slightly, it is still in negative territory and remains well below the long-term average of 22.4 points. The assessment of the current economic situation in Germany once again decreased considerably in February, with the corresponding indicator falling by 12.6 points to a level of 15.0 points.
“At the moment, we do not expect a rapid recovery of the slowing German economy. The economic situation in Germany has been weak, especially in the manufacturing sector. The figures for industrial production have once again seen a decrease, incoming orders are stagnant and foreign trade currently provides no fresh impulses. All of this is reflected in the fact that the assessment of the current situation has experienced a considerable decline. For the next six months, the financial market experts in our survey do not expect any improvement,” comments ZEW President Professor Achim Wambach.
The financial market experts’ assessment concerning the economic development of the Eurozone rose by 4.3 points, leaving the corresponding indicator at a level of minus 16.6 points. By contrast, the assessment of the current economic situation in the Eurozone saw a further significant decrease in February, falling by 8.3 points to a current level of minus 3.0 points compared to the previous month.
The expectations for the short-term interest rates in the Eurozone also recorded a strong decrease. The corresponding indicator dropped by 5.3 points to a level of 6.8 points.
For more information please contact:
Frank Brückbauer, Phone +49 (0)621/1235-148, E-mail frank.brueckbauer@zew.de
Dr. Frederick Eidam, Phone +49 (0)621-1235-330, E-mail frederick.eidam@zew.de
Dr. Jesper Riedler, Phone +49 (0)621-1235-311, E-mail jesper.riedler@zew.de
More information and studies on the ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment and the release dates 2019 (as PDF file, 28 KB) and the historical time series (as Excel file, 81 KB)