German ZEW economic sentiment dropped to 87.9 in April, down from prior 90.7 and consensus of 88.0. ZEW expectation gauge dropped to -8.2, down from 5.1, below consensus of -1. ZEW noted in the statement that “the reasons for this downturn in expectations can mainly be found in the international trade conflict with the United States and the current situation in the Syrian war. The significant decline in production, exports and retail sales in Germany in the first quarter of 2018 is also having a negative effect on the future economic development.”
Eurozone ZEW economic sentiment dropped 1.9, down from 13.4, below expectation of 7.3. ” The decline in economic sentiment regarding the Eurozone is likely to be down to the same factors as in Germany, with the figures for production and retail sales in the first quarter of 2018 turning out to be surprisingly negative. Furthermore, the trade conflict with the United States, together with the uncertainties resulting from the Syrian war regarding the relationship between Russia and the US were also having a negative impact on the economic expectations for the Eurozone.”
