The index has fallen by 12.7 points compared to the previous month, now standing at 5.1 points (long-term average: 23.6 points). The percentage of experts anticipating a decline over the coming six months has risen by 7.2 per cent to 12.9 per cent.

"Concerns over a US-led global trade conflict have made the experts more cautious in their prognoses. The strong euro is also hampering the economic outlook for Germany, a nation reliant on exports. Combined with the experts' continued positive assessment of the current situation, however, the outlook is still largely positive," comments ZEW President Professor Achim Wambach.