Investor sentiment in Germany rises in December

The ZEW Economic Research Institute survey showed that investor sentiment in Germany rose more than expected during the month of December, rising to 55.0 points in December compared to 39.0 points in November. Analysts had expected investor sentiment in Germany to record 45.5 points in December. The current conditions index declined to -66.5 points in December from -64.3 points in November. Analysts had expected the current conditions index to record -66.0 points in December. The German economy grew by 8.5% in the third quarter, after declining by 9.8% in the second quarter. Also, data released by the Federal Statistical Office today showed that industrial output in Germany rose by 3.2% during the month of October, compared to 2.3% in the previous month, which is the largest increase since last June.