Summary Analyst: gas price brake stabilised sentimentCurrent conditions index takes sharp tumbleOutlook has deteriorated again - ZEW presidentBERLIN, Oct 18 (Reuters) - German investor sentiment was less pessimistic than expected in October, even as the view of the current economic situation left little room for optimism following a tumble in confidence the month before. The ZEW economic research institute said on Tuesday its economic sentiment index grew slightly in October, to -59.2, from -61.9 in September, beating a forecast by analysts polled by Reuters of a reading of -65.7. In contrast, the institute's current conditions index fell by 11.7 points in October to a reading of -72.2. In its forecast released this month, the German government foresees economic growth of 1.4% this year and contraction of 0.4% next year. ZEW's indicators for euro zone sentiment and assessment of the current conditions mirrored Germany's, with sentiment up slightly in October and the situation indicator falling sharply.

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