ZEW is the centre for European economic research in Mannheim (Germany), and is a nonprofit independent institute. It provides analysis on national and international areas, focusing on the situation of financial markets, or other business-related information.
The ZEW report is somewhat similar to the beige book in the fact that it surveys professionals from the finance sector (banks, insurance or financial departments) for their assessment and forecast of significant financial market data. Other reports offered by the ZEW institute include the ICT-Report, ZEW CO2 Panel, Energiemarktbarometer or the ZEW Transport Market Barometer.
The results are presented in many forms, one of which being indicators. Some include the G-Mind which is the German Market Indicator and the ECB-Watch, being an indicator of the European Central Bank interest rate policy.
The ZEW indicator belongs to a group of leading indicators that are intended to provide a forecast of the conditions of the German economy in the coming months. The higher the index the better the estimation of future economic conditions. Better than expected data may provide fundamental support to the euro currency.