German investors' confidence hits one-year high

German investors' confidence rose for the fourth consecutive month in February and hit the highest level in a year thanks to fresh money stimulus in the euro zone and good performance of German economy, a survey found on Tuesday.

Mannheim-based Center for European Economic Research (ZEW) said its indicator measuring confidence of German investors and market analysts gained 4.6 points and stood at 53 points in February, reaching its highest value since February 2014.

"Quantitative easing by the European Central Bank and unexpectedly high economic growth in the fourth quarter of 2014 have improved sentiment among financial market experts," said Clemens Fuest, president of the think tank.

The German economy rebounded strongly near the end of last year, growing by 0.7 percent in the fourth quarter thanks to low oil prices and a weak euro.

For the whole year of 2014, Europe's biggest economy overcame a weak phase in summer months and expanded by 1.6 percent.

German central bank said earlier this week that it might lift its forecast for German economic growth in 2015, citing robust domestic demands supported by stable labour market and falling energy prices, as well as a revival of exports fueled by a weaker euro.

Starting from March this year, the ECB would inject more than one trillion euros (about 1.14 trillion U.S. dollars) to the market via purchasing government bonds and other securities in a bid to address the prolonged lasting low inflation in the euro zone.

Though opposed by Germany which feared that the fresh money would ease pressure on reforms from those indebted countries, the decision was expected to stimulate exports from the euro zone states, especially benefiting the traditionally exports-oriented German economy.

Fuest, meanwhile, warning of risks from abroad.

"The intensification of the Ukraine crisis and the collision course of the new Greek government are dampening expectations," he said. Endit