BERLIN, May 13 - Following are economists' reactions to the German ZEW institute's expectations indicator, which edged up 0.3 points to 18.7 points in May, its fifth consecutive rise, helped by an improvement in stock markets. Economists polled by had expected a slight decline to 18.2 in May after a reading of 18.4 in April.
Latest comment: RALPH SOLVEEN, COMMERZBANK
"We still think business sentiment is poor. The Ifo index fell, the euro is on the rise so we reckon sentiment is still down."
Earlier comments: LOTHAR HESSLER, TRINKAUS & BURKHARDT:
"I was a bit surprised that the indicator didn't fall, because we've had the euro's appreciation and the debate about economic reforms in Germany. This is the fifth successive rise in the the indicator but it still doesn't signal that Germany is in a modest economic upturn. It's too early to speak of improving growth momentum."//