REUTERS Sentix euro zone sentiment index rises unexpectedly [JHSMQMG]
BERLIN, Jan 5 (Reuters) - Sentiment among euro zone
investors improved for the first time in seven months in
January, with an expectations index recording its strongest rise
since August 2005, the Sentix research group said on Monday.
Sentix's monthly index of investor morale in the 16-nation
euro zone came in significantly higher than economists had
expected, recording -34.4, compared to -42.3 in December. A
Reuters poll had forecast a decline to -44.0.
"The year starts with a bang!" Sentix said in a statement.
"Politicians and economic research institutes had only just
prepared the population for a tough economic year 2009, and what
we see on Jan. 5 is that the first early indicator is starting
to turn significantly upwards."
The survey was conducted between Jan. 1 and Jan. 3 and based
on responses from 722 investors.
A Sentix gauge of current conditions came in at -37.25
versus -42.5 in the prior month, while a measure of expectations
rose to -31.5 from to -42.0 in December. That was the strongest
rise since August 2005, Sentix said.
Investors remained pessimistic about current conditions in
the United States, although the headline index improved to -47.1
from -53.9 in December. Sentiment on Japan, Asia, Eastern Europe
and Latin America also improved, Sentix said.
"In the eyes of investors, measures taken by many states and
central banks worldwide seem to be having an impact. We assume
many indicators will follow the early indication from Sentix in
the coming weeks and months."