Financial News: German Economic Confidence Strongest Since July 2021

German Economic Confidence Strongest Since July 2021

01/20/2026 - 05:53:00 (RTTNews)

(RTTNews) - German economic sentiment strengthened at the beginning of the year to the highest level in four-and-a-half years, the financial market survey conducted by the think tank ZEW showed Tuesday.

The economic sentiment index rose to 59.6 in January from 45.8 in the previous month, reaching the highest since last July 2021. The expected score was 50.0.

The assessment of the current economic situation also improved, with the corresponding index rising to -72.7 from -81.0 in December.

The ZEW Index is rising strongly, and 2026 could mark a turning point, ZEW President Achim Wambach said.

"However, despite the positive economic sentiment, work should continue to strengthen the attractiveness of the location in order to enable sustainable growth."

Despite the announcement of additional tariffs by the US last weekend, the export-oriented industries are showing significant improvements, especially steel and industry as well as mechanical engineering, the survey said.

Additionally, the Mercosur agreement is likely to have improved the outlook for export-intensive industries, although the unpredictable US trade policy continues to be an additional burden on the German export economy.

The survey showed that the eurozone economic confidence index advanced 7.1 points to 40.8 in January. Similarly, the current situation index rose to -18.1 from -28.5.

For comments and feedback: contact editorial@rttnews.com

Market News provided by RTTNews

RECENT INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL NEWS

Portugal Producer Prices Fall 3.2% (02 min(s), 06 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Portugal's producer prices continued their falling trend in December, figures from ...Full Story»

Hong Kong Jobless Rate Remains Stable At 3.8% (16 min(s), 06 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Hong Kong's unemployment rate held steady in the October-December period, labor fo ...Full Story»

Italy Current Account Gap Narrows In November (26 min(s), 06 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Italy's current account deficit decreased in November from the previous year, the ...Full Story»

Eurozone Construction Output Falls Most In 6 Months (36 min(s), 06 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Eurozone construction production contracted in November after recovering in the previo ...Full Story»

German Economic Confidence Strongest Since July 2021 (01 hr(s), 05 min(s), 06 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - German economic sentiment strengthened at the beginning of the year to the highest lev ...Full Story»

Eurozone Current Account Surplus Shrinks In November (02 hr(s), 04 min(s), 06 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - The euro area current account surplus declined sharply in November as the surplus on g ...Full Story»

Taiwan Export Orders Surge 43.8% In December (03 hr(s), 13 min(s), 06 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Taiwan's export orders logged accelerated growth for the second straight month in ...Full Story»

UK Jobless Rate Steady At 5.1%; Wage Growth Slows (03 hr(s), 27 min(s), 06 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - The UK unemployment rate remained stable and wage growth eased in the three months to ...Full Story»