Investor
sentiment in the euro zone improved more than expected in March, hitting its
highest level in almost 10 years on Monday, as concerns that global political
risks
could end an economic upswing dissipated.
The
Frankfurt-based Sentix research group's euro zone index rose to 20.7 points,
reaching its highest level since August 2007. It was above the consensus
reading of 18.5 in a Reuters poll of analysts. EUSTCS=ECI
"All the
expectation components for the global economic regions rose and cast the
decline of last month in a new light," Sentix said in a statement.
"Therefore the potential threat of a sudden halt to the economic recovery
is off the table."
The index had
last month edged down to 17.4 from 18.2 in January on concerns that U.S.
President Donald Trump's policy course would weigh on the global economy.
A sub-index
measuring investor assessment of the current situation in the euro zone also
rose to its highest level since May 2011.
An index
tracking Germany, the euro zone's largest economy, rose to 34.1 from 31.3 in
February. The indices for the United States and Japan also rose.
"Trump's
motto 'Make America great again' is having an effect," Sentix wrote.
U.S. stocks
have risen to record highs since Trump's election after he vowed to remove some
of the regulations introduced after the financial crisis and to boost spending
on the military and infrastructure.
"In
addition to the main regions, the positive economic momentum for emerging
markets is retained," Sentix said. It noted that
Sentix polled
1,081 investors March 2-4.
*REUTERS*
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