ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment - ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment Increases Significantly

The ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment for Germany gains 23.4 points in December 2014. Increasing for the second consecutive time, the index now stands at 34.9 points (long-term average: 24.4 points), the highest reading since May 2014.

"Confidence in the German economy seems to be slowly returning among the financial market experts surveyed by ZEW. This increase is related to favourable economic conditions such as the weak euro and the low crude oil price. The recently published German export figures already show a positive trend. However, we should be aware that the current optimism is fuelled by factors that might change even over the short term" ZEW President Professor Clemens Fuest says.

The assessment of the current situation in Germany is improving as well. Growing by 6.7 points, the index now stands at 10.0 points.

The financial market experts’ sentiment concerning the economic development of the Eurozone is also improving. The sentiment indicator for the Eurozone has increased by 20.8 points to a reading of 31.8 points. The indicator for the current situation in the euro area decreased in December by 3.1 points to a value of minus 62.8 points.

For more information please contact

Dr. Frieder Mokinski, Phone +49 (0)621/1235-143, E-mail mokinski@zew.de

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