Sentiment Continues to Improve – US Election Affects Economic Expectations

The ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment for Germany has increased substantially in November 2016. The index has improved by 7.6 points compared to October, now standing at 13.8 points (long-term average: 24.0 points). "The ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment has increased for the fourth consecutive time – not least due to the positive economic figures seen in the US and China. The renewed increase is indicative of a stronger economic growth in the coming six months. The election of Donald Trump as US President and the resulting political and economic uncertainties, however, have made an impact. After the election, the economic sentiment has been less positive than before," comments ZEW President Professor Achim Wambach.

The assessment of the current situation in Germany has slightly decreased. Falling by 0.7 points, the index now stands at 58.8 points.

Financial market experts’ sentiment concerning the economic development of the eurozone has slightly improved, with the respective indicator increasing by 3.5 points to a reading of 15.8 points. The indicator for the current economic situation in the eurozone also climbed 3.5 points to a level of minus 9.3 points in November 2016. 

For more information please contact

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

Dr. Michael Schröder, Phone +49 (0)621/1235-368, E-mail: schroeder@zew.de

More information and studies on the ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment and the release dates 2016 (as PDF file, 28 KB) and the historical time series (as Excel file, 81 KB).