ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment - Increasing Optimism

The ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment for Germany has increased by 24.6 points in January 2013. The indicator now stands at a level of 31.5 points, thereby reaching its highest level since May 2010.

The indicator’s further increase shows that, according to the financial market experts, the economic perspectives for Germany have brightened up on a six-months time horizon. The fact that the markets' uncertainty concerning the future of the eurozone has diminished for the time being has probably contributed to the experts' optimism.

"The financial market experts seem to expect that the positive sentiment on the financial markets may soon result in companies realizing investments that had been postponed earlier on. However, the economic situation of important trade partners is rightly considered to still be weak. This suggests that the German economy will further grow at a moderate level in 2013", says ZEW President Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. mult. Wolfgang Franz.

The assessment of the current economic situation for Germany has remained almost unchanged in January. The respective indicator has increased by 1.4 points and now stands at the 7.1 points-mark.

Economic expectations for the Eurozone have augmented significantly in January as well. The corresponding indicator has risen by 23.6 points to 31.2 points. The indicator for the current economic situation in the Eurozone has improved slightly. It now stands at the minus 75.3 points-mark (plus 4.6 points compared to the previous month).

For further information please contact

Christian D. Dick, E-mail dick@zew.de

Frieder Mokinski, Phone +49 621/1235-143, E-mail mokinski@zew.de