FRANKFURT (MktNews) - West German consumer confidencerose slightly in March, recovering some of the large declineseen in February, the Icon economic research institute reportedFriday. March west German consumer confidence index rose 1point on the month to 97 points and remained in negativeterritory. The index reached its recent high of 103 in December1999. An index level of 100 represents a balance betweenoptimistic and pessimistic responses, optimists outnumberpessimists when the index rises above 100. The index reachedits recent low in October 2000 at 94 points. Although consumersentiment has not markedly improved, consumers still take apositive view of their future income expectations as well aslabor market developments, Icon said. But consumers do take askeptical view of Germany's economic development and thetendency to buy durable goods is subdued, Icon said. Icon'sindex is based on a survey of 2,000 consumers in westGermany.