Brussels, 02/05/2003 (Agence Europe) - The economic sentiment indicator (ESI) increased in April despite a fall in the industrial confidence indicator, according to figures published on Wednesday by the Commission, which notes an increase in consumer confidence (the first in seven months). The economic sentiment indicator only rose to 97.9 points in April, barely more than that in March (97.8). "The slight increase in the ESI is attributable to improvements in the consumer and retail trade confidence indicators", highlighted the Commission, which also underlined that, " These improvements more than offset a further deterioration in the industrial confidence indicator". The Commission also explained that consumer confidence improved in all Euro-zone areas except for Austria. The fall in confidence in the industrial sector is linked to a decrease in order books, as well as a slight deterioration in production, employment and sale price perspectives. Export forecasts have become negative for the first time since the beginning of 2002 in the whole of the EU and Euro-zone, added the Commission.
The Business Climate Indicator fell to a value of -0.70 as opposed to -0.58 (revised) in March, its lowest level since February 2002. According to the Commission this decrease was mainly driven by a deterioration in companies' opinion about production trends in the recent past, as well as a worsening in total order books and export order books.