A survey has shown that German investor confidence moved higher in August, less than a week after data showed Europe's biggest economy emerging from recession sooner than expected.
The ZEW index is based on a survey of institutional investors and analysts. It rose by a better than expected 16.6 points to reach 56.1 points this month. The August figure took the index to its highest level since April 2006.
Last week, official statistics showed that Germany achieved positive growth of 0.3% in the second quarter of the year.
Germany, Europe's biggest economy had not seen positive growth since the first quarter of 2008.
Other recent figures such as rising exports and industrial orders have also suggested that the German economy, which the government expects to contract a record 6% this year, may be on the road to recovery.
