Confidence on the rise in Germany
By George Frey |
August 19, 2009, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
INVESTOR confidence in Germany rose sharply in August as hopes grew that the economy will recover faster than previously expected, a closely watched survey showed yesterday.
The ZEW Center for Economic Research in Mannheim said its monthly index, which measures investors' outlook for the next six months, rose to 56.1 points in August from 39.5 points in July - well above the historical average of 26.5 points.
Germany's export-dependent economy sank into recession last year as the global downturn dried up demand for its manufactured goods.
But last week, the country reported a 0.3 percent increase in growth in the second quarter compared with the previous quarter, technically lifting it out of its worst recession in decades.
The ZEW said the positive growth figures for gross domestic product have led to a better assessment of the current economic situation in Germany, Europe's biggest economy. The ZEW said all sectors of the German economy and particularly exports had improved.
"The recent development of the GDP shows that the previous expectations of the financial market experts have come true. There is, however, no reason for euphoria," ZEW President Wolfgang Franz warned in a statement.
"The German economy develops parallel to the world economy and should, hence, recover only gradually," he said.
The ZEW said subindex of the current economic situation in Germany improved in August by 12.1 points to minus 77.2 points from minus 89.3 points in July.
UniCredit economist Andreas Rees said the expectations figure was the highest reading since April 2006 and the ninth increase in the last 10 months, soundly beating forecasts.
Still, Rees said although leading indicators are likely to increase, he expects a setback in growth, with slower momentum in 2010.
The ZEW Center for Economic Research in Mannheim said its monthly index, which measures investors' outlook for the next six months, rose to 56.1 points in August from 39.5 points in July - well above the historical average of 26.5 points.
Germany's export-dependent economy sank into recession last year as the global downturn dried up demand for its manufactured goods.
But last week, the country reported a 0.3 percent increase in growth in the second quarter compared with the previous quarter, technically lifting it out of its worst recession in decades.
The ZEW said the positive growth figures for gross domestic product have led to a better assessment of the current economic situation in Germany, Europe's biggest economy. The ZEW said all sectors of the German economy and particularly exports had improved.
"The recent development of the GDP shows that the previous expectations of the financial market experts have come true. There is, however, no reason for euphoria," ZEW President Wolfgang Franz warned in a statement.
"The German economy develops parallel to the world economy and should, hence, recover only gradually," he said.
The ZEW said subindex of the current economic situation in Germany improved in August by 12.1 points to minus 77.2 points from minus 89.3 points in July.
UniCredit economist Andreas Rees said the expectations figure was the highest reading since April 2006 and the ninth increase in the last 10 months, soundly beating forecasts.
Still, Rees said although leading indicators are likely to increase, he expects a setback in growth, with slower momentum in 2010.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
