The latest data from the Center for Economic Research for Europe (ZEW) showed that Germany’s economic sentiment rose to +16.9 in January, surpassing analysts’ expectations of -15.0 and marking the first time the Confidence Index has turned positive since February 2022. This improvement in sentiment was driven by a number of factors, including easing concerns about inflation and the energy crisis, as well as the opening of the Chinese market.
According to ZEW President, Professor Achim Wambach, “The economic outlook for Germany has improved significantly. The reasons for this are the easing of the energy crisis and the positive economic developments in China.”
The German economy is expected to grow 1.9% in 2022, above analysts’ forecasts, thanks in part to the positive impact of warm weather during the winter, which has helped to reduce domestic energy consumption. This is a positive sign for the German economy and could bode well for the future.
In addition to the positive economic sentiment, Germany has also seen an increase in consumer spending, which is expected to boost the country’s economy in the coming months. However, the ZEW researchers also noted that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continue to pose significant risks to the German and global economy.
Overall, the latest data from ZEW suggests that the German economy is on the road to recovery, but there are still potential obstacles to overcome. Investors and analysts are advised to monitor the situation closely to stay informed about the current state of the market.