Brussels, 30/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - In July, the Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) increased by 1.2 points in the eurozone (to 92.5) and by 2.4 points in the EU (to 95.0), continuing the upward trend observed since May.
In the eurozone, the ESI increased by 1.2 points to 92.5 (its highest level since April 2012) from 91.03 in June. This ESI increase was driven by improved confidence among consumers and managers in industry, services and retail trade. Only in the construction sector did confidence weaken. Economic sentiment improved in four out of the five largest euro area economies, i.e. Italy (+2.9), Spain (+1.2), France (+1.2) and Germany (+0.7), while it deteriorated in the Netherlands (-2.0). In the EU28, the biggest rise in confidence was in the United Kingdom (up 6.9%).
The European Commission also published the latest Business Climate Indicator results, which rose by 0.14 points to 0.53 in July. (LC/transl.fl)