Economic barometer
July 14, 2009
The figures, published by the Mannheim-based Center for European Economic Research (ZEW), revealed a surprised fall in investor confidence.
The ZEW said its monthly index, based on a survey of almost 300 analysts, dropped to 39.5 points in July.
Europe's largest economy had been widely tipped to continue the climb it demonstrated in June, when it reached a three-year high of 44.8 points.
The figures posted by the ZEW index, which is closely watched by other European mood-gauging surveys, marked the first fall after eight consecutive rises.
But despite the surprise decline, the ZEW said the "surprisingly good numbers of incoming orders and industrial production" had had a positive influence on the 289 analysts and investors questioned for the survey.
ZEW President Wolfgang Franz said the figures confirmed the prognosis that Germany's economic development would fall by some six percent this year.
tkw/dpa/reuters
Editor: Chuck Penfold