German investor sentiment improved by more than expected in February on rising hopes for interest rate cuts from the European Central Bank, despite a bleak assessment of current economic conditions, the ZEW economic research institute's monthly survey revealed Tuesday. The economic sentiment index rose to 19.
9 points in February from 15.2 points in January, above a consensus estimate of 17.5 from analysts polled by Reuters. Despite the rise in investor confidence, the assessment of the current German economic situation dropped by more than expected to -81.7 points in February from -77.3 points in January. - Elliot Smith