The confidence of German entrepreneurs has plummeted even more than previously assumed, under pressure from the corona crisis in March. The leading research institute Ifo reported this on the basis of a definitive figure.

Ifo’s confidence index reached a final level of 86.1 against 96 in February. A preliminary estimate last week reported a level of 87.7. That was the strongest drop since 1991.

The Ifo index is one of the most important economic barometers in Germany, along with the benchmark of the ZEW research institute for the confidence of investors and analysts in the economy. This ZEW index showed the strongest decline ever recorded for March due to the virus outbreak.