Euro zone investors' morale unchanged in August

BERLIN Reuters investors' morale in the euro zone was essentially unchanged in August from the previous month, with a slight rise too little to stave off fears of a recession in the 19 country currency bloc, a survey showed on Monday.

The euro zone's index went up to 25.2 points from 26.4 in July. A Reuters poll had pointed out a reading of - 24.7 in August.

The economic situation in the euro zone remains difficult, according to Sentix Managing Director Manfred Huebner, who said the slight rise did not signal the all-clear.

He said a recession in the euro zone is still very likely, citing weak consumer confidence, inflation and energy prices.

A Sentix index on the current situation in the euro zone was up slightly in August, at - 16.3 in August after falling to - 16.5 in the previous month, which was its lowest since March 2021. The expectations index rose to 33.8, still close to its July level that was the lowest since December 2008.

The situation in Germany, Europe's biggest economy, looked worse with the overall index dropping to 24.4 points, the lowest level since May 2020.

The poll of 1,262 investors was conducted between Aug. 4 and 6th, said Sentix.