BERLIN, May 29 Reuters German consumer sentiment improved for the fourth month in a row heading into June as the outlook brightened somewhat in Europe39;s biggest economy and income expectations rose, a survey showed on Wednesday.

The consumer sentiment index rose by 3.1 points to 20.9 points heading into June from a revised 24.0 the month before. It was above expectations of analysts polled by Reuters for a 22.5 reading.

An improved willingness to buy and less appetite to save boosted the index, published jointly by the GfK institute and the Nuremberg Institute for Market Decisions NIM.

Falling inflation rates combined with respectable wage and salary increases are boosting consumers39; purchasing power, said Rolf Buerkl, consumption expert at NIM.

Nevertheless, there still seems to be uncertainty among German consumers, he said, adding that they were lacking the clear economic prospects needed to invest in larger purchases.

JUN 2024

MAY 2024

JUN 2023

Consumer climate

20.9

24.0

24.2

Consumer climate components

MAY 2024

APR 2024

MAY 2023

willingness to buy

12.3

12.6

16.1

income expectations

12.5

10.7

8.2

business cycle expectations

9.8

0.7

12.3

NOTE The…