German investor morale plummets as Brexit uncertainty bites

Zew blames vote for ‘substantial decline’ in economic sentiment

The mood among German analysts and investors plunged in July due to uncertainty created by the Brexit vote, a survey showed on Tuesday in the first major indication of how Europe’s largest economy could fare after the surprise referendum result.

Mannheim-based ZEW said its monthly survey showed a drop in its economic sentiment index to -6.8 points in July from 19.2 the previous month. That fell far short of the Reuters consensus forecast for a reading of 9.0.

A separate gauge of current conditions tumbled to 49.8 points from 54.5 in June. The Reuters consensus forecast was for a reading of 51.8.

“Uncertainty about the vote’s consequences for the German economy is largely responsible for the substantial decline in economic sentiment,” ZEW president Achim Wambach said in a statement.

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The ZEW index was based on a survey of 220 analysts and investors conducted July 4 to 18.

Reuters