ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment: Stable at a High Level
ResearchThe ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment for Germany stabilised at a high level in January. The indicator now stands at +72.9 points compared with +73.4 points in last year's December.
The large amount of optimism has hardly changed and is increasingly confirmed by important business indicators. Despite the continuing strength of the euro, industrial production and the volume of incoming orders increased. "In order to ensure that this positive development continues anything that might permanently affect price competitiveness should be avoided and the reform process should be rapidly implemented," said ZEW president Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Wolfgang Franz.
The experts' evaluation of Germany's economic situation was considerably less pessimistic this month. 78.2 percent compared to 85.0 percent of those interviewed in the previous month felt that the current economic situation in Germany was bad.
Economic sentiment for the euro-zone improved in January. The indicator gained +1.9 percent compared with last month's figures and now stands at +80.1 points. 59.9 percent of those interviewed regarded the current economic situation in the eurozone as poor.
Contact
Volker Kleff, E-mail: kleff@zew.de
Dr. Claudia Stirböck, E-mail: stirboeck@zew.de
Dr. Friedrich Heinemann, Phone: +49 (0)621 1235-149, E-mail: heinemann@zew.de