Germany's investor confidence unexpectedly
surged the first time since October 2010, signalling Germany, the largest
European economy is surviving regional debt woe. ZEW Center reported that its
index, consisting of analyst and investor expectations aiming to predict
outlook for 6 months ahead, advanced and reached minus 53.8 compared to a 3-year record low of
minus 55.2 in November. Earlier analysts forecast a drop in index to minus 55.8.
In October German factory production grew faster than economists predicted and
unemployment declined as demand from emerging markets helped to offset loss
from local ones.