Downturn in Expectations

he ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment for Germany records a decrease of 6.2 points in February 2017. The indicator now stands at 10.4 points. "The downturn in expectations is likely to be the result of the recently published unfavourable figures for industrial production, retail sales and exports. Political uncertainty regarding Brexit, the future US economic policy as well as the considerable number of upcoming elections in Europe further depresses expectations. Nevertheless, the economic environment in Germany has not significantly worsened," comments ZEW President Professor Achim Wambach.

The assessment of the current situation in Germany has slightly decreased. The index has fallen by 0.9 points and currently stands at a still very high level of 76.4 points.

The financial market experts' expectations regarding the economic development in the eurozone have decreased to an extent similar to those regarding Germany. The corresponding indicator has decreased by 6.1 points to a reading of 17.1 points. The indicator for the current economic situation in the eurozone, by contrast, has climbed 3.2 points to a level of 2.8 points in February, reaching positive territory again for the first time since July 2011.

For further information please contact

Dr. Michael Schröder, Phone +49 (0)621/1235-368, E-mail schroeder@zew.de

More information and studies on the ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment and the release dates 2017 (as PDF file, 28 KB) and the historical time series (as Excel file, 81 KB)