BERLIN (AP) — Investor confidence in Germany unexpectedly edged higher this month as hopes held up that growth in Europe’s biggest economy will return, a closely watched survey showed Tuesday.

The ZEW institute’s index, which measures investors’ outlook for the next six months, rose to 48.5 points in March from 48.2 in February. It was the fourth consecutive monthly increase and contrasted with economists’ prediction of a decline to 47.5.