ZURICH (MaceNews) – Economic sentiment in Germany improved in February, up 2.6 points to 54.3, according to the latest report from the Mannheim-based ZEW Institute.
Today’s result was exactly in line with the median of 54.3 in an Econoday survey of economists’ forecasts.
Moreover, current conditions were also seen in a more positive light, improving 2.1 points to a reading of -8.1. That was not quite as optimistic as the econoday median of -7.6
“The economic outlook for Germany continues to improve in February despite growing economic and political uncertainties. Financial market experts expect an easing of pandemic- related restrictions and an economic recovery in the first half of 2022. They still expect inflation to decline, albeit at a slower pace and from a higher level than in previous months. Consequently, more than 50 per cent of the experts now predict that short-term interest rates in the euro area will rise in the next six months,” comments ZEW President Professor Achim Wambach on current expectations.
In the Euro area, economic sentiment declined however, doen 0.8 points to 48.6, while current conditions improved to a positive reading of 0.6, up 6.8 points over the previous month.