The Ifo Economic Climate indicator for the Eurozone has risen again slightly in the third quarter but has not yet reached its long-term average, according to a statement issued by the Ifo institute at the University of Munich on Wednesday.

Prof. Hans-Werner Sinn, president of the institute, the assessments of the current economic situation have improved clearly over the second quarter of 2010. The expectations for the coming six months, however, have weakened again but remain positive on the whole. These survey results indicate that the economic recovery will continue in the second half of the year but at a slower pace.

In the majority of the euro countries, the current economic situation is still assessed as unfavourable. Only in Germany, Austria and Slovakia are the assessments of the current economic situation now in positive territory. In contrast, particularly poor assessments of the current economic situation have been given in Greece, Ireland, Spain and Portugal. In Spain and Greece the World Economic Survey (WES) experts foresee a further worsening of the economic situation in the second half of 2010. In all other countries of the Eurozone, however, the expectations for the coming six months are positive although they are not quite as optimistic as in the first half of the year.

Inflation expectations for 2010 at 1.6% are above the comparable value for 2009 (0.7%) but still clearly below the medium-term ceiling of the ECB.

A declining portion of WES experts expects key interest rates to be raised in the coming half year. In accord with the less favourable economic outlook and no growth in inflation, fewer WES experts than in the previous survey anticipate rising long-term interest rates in the coming six months.

The US dollar is no longer considered to be undervalued in relationship to the euro. A stable dollar–euro exchange rate is expected in the coming six months.

The Ifo World Economic Survey (WES) surveys world-wide economic trends by polling transnational as well as national organisations in different countries. This allows for a rapid, up-to-date assessment of the economic situation prevailing around the world. The full set of results will be published on 18 August 2010.

The 3rd quarter 2010 Eurozone results, which were published in advance on Wednesday, are based on the responses of 265 economists. WES is conducted in co-operation with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris.