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BERLIN, Jan 5 (Reuters) - Investor sentiment in the euro zone improved for the first time in seven months in January, a survey by the Sentix research group showed on Monday in a sign of optimism that the worst of the financial crisis has passed.
Sentix's monthly index of investor morale in the 16-nation euro zone came in significantly higher than economists had expected, recording -34.4, compared to -42.3 in December. A Reuters poll had forecast a decline to -44.0.
"(This points to) a possible turnaround for the second half of 2009," Sentix managing director Patrick Hussy told Reuters.
A Sentix gauge of current conditions came in at -37.25 versus -42.5 in the prior month, while a measure of expectations rose to -31.5 from to -42.0 in December. That was the strongest rise since August 2005, Sentix said.
The Sentix finding fits well with other indicators suggesting investors may be feeling that the worst of financial market mayhem is behind them.
Reuters monthly investment polls, for example, have also showed some return to risk appetite [ID:nLM670530].
On markets themselves, meanwhile, there has been something of an unheralded turnaround.
The pan-European FTEurofirst 300 share index <.FTEU3> fell nearly 45 percent in 2008, but it has recently been doing far better. Since hitting a year-low on November 21, the index has gained around 16 percent.
Perhaps reflecting expectations that the full impact of the global economic downturn is yet to hit the euro zone economy, however, other markets have done even better.
The S&P 500 index <.SPX>, a broad index of U.S. stocks, has gained close to 26 percent since late November.
Ralph Solveen, economist at Commerzbank, said the Sentix data showed investors were starting off from a low point.
"At a time when everybody assumes that things look terrible, if you ask them about their expectations for the next six months, they are less likely to say things will get even worse."
Germany, Europe's largest economy, fell into recession in the third quarter of last year and leading economic institutes have forecast it will contract by 2 percent or more in 2009 -- the worst annual performance in the post-war era.
Recent data showed German corporate sentiment deteriorated for the seventh month running in December. But separate figures showed household morale should hold steady going into 2009 as slowing inflation buoys consumers' readiness to buy.
The Sentix data showed investors remained pessimistic about current conditions in the United States, although the headline index improved to -47.1 from -53.9 in December. Sentiment on Japan, Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America also improved.
"In the eyes of investors, measures taken by many states and central banks worldwide seem to be having an impact. We assume many indicators will follow the early indication from Sentix in the coming weeks and months."
The survey was conducted between Jan. 1 and Jan. 3 and based on responses from 722 investors.
(Additional reporting by Jeremy Gaunt in London)
(Reporting by Kerstin Gehmlich; editing By Chris Pizzey)