(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Milano, 17 mar - Economic sentiment in Germany fell sharply in March, dropping to -0.5 from a positive 58.3 in February, according to the monthly indicator from economic research institute ZEW.

Assessments of the current economic situation in Germany instead continued to improve, rising by 3.0 points to -62.9 points.

'The ZEW Indicator has collapsed," commented Achim Wambach, president of ZEW. "The escalation in the Middle East spikes energy prices and increases inflationary pressure. This heightens the risk for the German economy that the emerging trend of economic recovery will slow down. How strong these effects will turn out depends on the intensity and the duration of the conflict. The financial market experts are sceptical that a quick.

resolution of the conflict will take place."

(RADIOCOR) 17-03-26 11:34:46 (0261) 5 NNNN