31/10/2002 (Agence Europe) - The business climate index in the euro zone, for which estimates were published last Thursday by the Commission, progressed unexpectedly in October to reach -0.42 as opposed to -0.49 in September. According to the Commission, the slight rise observed during the past few months could lead to a more optimistic assessment of the current economic situation. The economic confidence indicator, however, fell slightly in October to 98.9 as opposed to 99.0 in September. This data shows the disparities that exist between the mood of consumers and that of business. Household confidence fell to its lowest level in eleven months to -12 in October compared to -9 in September, while business confidence continued in the opposite way, to -10 compared to -12 the previous month.