Investor morale in the euro zone brightened substantially in March, with economic expectations hitting their highest reading since July 2021, a survey showed on Monday, as Germany’s plans for new debt contributed to the positive sentiment.
The overall Sentix index for the currency union shot up to -2.9 in March from -12.7 in February, beating expectations from analysts polled by Reuters for a rise to -8.4.
The indicator focused on economic expectations for the next six months rose for a third time in a row to 18.0 in March from 1.0 the month before, according to the survey.
The survey of 1,097 investors from March 6-8 also showed the assessment of the current situation improved to -21.8 in March from -25.5 in February.
The survey cited new debt-financed investments planned for armament in Europe and in Germany, where a newly forming government wants to bump up defence and infrastructure, as behind the bump.
“For Germany, investors are downright euphoric,” Sentix said in a statement about Europe’s largest economy.
Expectations for Germany alone jumped by 26.3 points, to 20.5, and the overall index rose by 17.2 points to -12.5, it added.
The picture was different in other parts of the world, Sentix noted. In the United States, there was a massive slump in current situation and expectations values.
Source : Reuters
Oil prices fell on Monday as rising Middle East crude exports and a release of…
A trade organization representing community banks sued a US bank regulator Friday, claiming that its…
Nonbank financial institutions are often seen as procyclical lenders, cutting credit more sharply than banks…
AI is transforming digital services, and mobile apps, which routinely reach users far beyond their…
Estimates of AI's employment effect disagree in size and even in sign. This column argues…
Military intervention may be undertaken to weaken a hostile regime and strengthen the position of…