MANNHEIM, Germany, Feb 19 (Reuters) - German analyst and investor sentiment soared to its highest level since April 2010, beating all expectations with a third successive increase and signalling that financial markets are confident Europe's largest economy has turned a corner.

The Mannheim-based ZEW think tank said on Tuesday its monthly poll of economic sentiment rose to 48.2 points from 31.5 in January, beating even the highest expectation in a Reuters poll with a median forecast for 35.0 points.

The index was based on a survey of 272 analysts and investors conducted between Feb. 4 and 18, ZEW said.

The better-than-expected reading boosted the euro and European shares and sent German Bund futures lower.

(Reporting by Sakari Suoninen and Victoria Bryan; Writing by Annika Breidthardt, Editing by Gareth Jones) Keywords: GERMANY ZEW/

(Berlin newsroom)(Tel: +49 30 2888 5142)(Email:)(berlin.econ@news.reuters.com)

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