ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment: Stabilization at a High Level

The ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment has slightly declined by -0.6 points in April. The index now stands at +70.6 points after standing at +71.2 in the previous month.

After the sharp increase in the previous months the index now stabilizes at a high level. Thus, a large majority of the participants continues to expect a further improvement of the economic situation in Germany within the coming six months. The assessment of the current economic situation in Germany, however, has improved slightly. The difference between the positive and negative expectations rises from -80,0 points to -76,7 points.

In April 314 analysts and institutional investors participated in the ZEW Financial Markets Survey which is conducted monthly by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW), Mannheim. The participants were asked about their medium-term expectations concerning economic activity and capital markets. The ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment is the balance between positive and negative expectations of the future economic development in Germany within a timeframe of six months.

Contact

Dr. Felix Hüfner, E-mail: huefner@zew.de

Volker Kleff, E-mail: kleff@zew.de