By Frances Robinson
Aug. 18 (Bloomberg) -- German investor confidence probably rose to the highest level in more than three years in August after Europeâs largest economy unexpectedly emerged from recession in the second quarter, a survey of economists shows.
The ZEW Center for European Economic Research will say its index of investor and analyst expectations rose to 45 from 39.5 in July, according to the median of 35 forecasts in a Bloomberg News survey. That would be the highest reading since May 2006. ZEW releases the report, which aims to predict developments six months ahead, at 11 a.m. in Mannheim today.
Germanyâs economy expanded 0.3 percent in the second quarter from the first, bringing an end to the worst slump since World War II sooner than forecasters had expected, a report showed last week. ZEWâs survey closed yesterday. With exports rising and government stimulus programs supporting spending at home, the recovery may accelerate. Germanyâs benchmark DAX share index has advanced 41 percent since March 6.
âBetter figures for the German economy and improved sentiment on equity markets all adds up to a significant improvement in the ZEW,â said Ralph Solveen, an economist at Commerzbank AG in Frankfurt. âWeâll see a strong second half.â
ZEWâs gauge of the current economic situation probably rose to minus 85 from minus 89.3 in July, the survey of economists shows. The Economy Ministry has said its forecast for a 6 percent economic contraction this year may now be too pessimistic.