[B]German investor expectations improved for the second consecutive month, jumping to -41.1 from -55.5 in August. Falling oil prices paired with a weakened euro has helped to boost growth prospects for Europe’s largest economy as trade conditions are anticipated to improve. With oil prices falling below $93 a barrel and the euro pulling back from its record high, market participants expect German exports to rebound over the second half of 2008. Investor expectations in the Euro-Zone improved as a result, with the index surging to -40.9 from -55.7 in the prior month. [/B]