German investor confidence rose for a fifth month in December to the highest level in more than seven years, adding to signs that the recovery in Europe’s largest economy is strengthening. The ZEW Center for European Economic Research in Mannheim said its index of investor and analyst expectations, which aims to predict economic developments six months in advance, jumped to 62.0 from 54.6 in November. That’s the highest since April 2006 and exceeds all 35 estimates in a Bloomberg News survey. The median was for an increase to 55.0. After a weak start into the fourth quarter, the German economy will grow strongly in ... (full story)