The Sentix index measuring investor morale in the euro zone rose more than expected at the start of the year, hitting its highest level since July 2025 due to improved expectations, though it still remained in negative territory, a survey showed today.
The index rose to -1.8 points in January from -6.2 the month before, beating forecasts by analysts polled by Reuters for a slightly less optimistic reading of -4.9.
"While the euro zone, and Germany in particular, continue to struggle with structural challenges but are showing signs of bottoming out, the US and Asia in particular are providing new impetus for growth," said Sentix in a press release.
The survey of 1,091 investors taken from January 8-10 showed that economic expectations in particular were on the upswing, more than doubling from December to hit 10 in January.
The index measuring the current situation also improved somewhat, growing to -13 from -16.5 in the last month of 2025.
Similar to the wider currency bloc, sentiment in Germany, Europe's largest economy, improved significantly, reaching -16.4, its highest level since August 2025, from -22.7, while expectations turned positive, at 5.5, from -1.3 in December.
"Normally, this is a classic 'turnaround signal.' However, despite the increase, the current situation indicators remain strongly recessionary at -36.0 points," according to Sentix.
