Economic confidence rose last December for the second consecutive month both in the European Union (EU) as in the eurozone and employment expectations remained solid, the European Commission reported this Friday.
Brussels announced on Friday the evolution of the Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI), which combines the opinions and attitudes regarding the economic situation of both consumers and companies in the industrial, construction, retail and service sectors.
Indicators
In December, the ESI rose both in the EU (1.5 points, to 94.2 points) and in the euro zone (1.8 points to 95.8 points), remaining, however, below the long-term average.
In the EU, the increase in the ESI in December was driven by increases in all sectors and in particular in the retail commerceservices and consumers.
Between the biggest economies of the EU, the ESI increased by:
- Germany (2.0 points)
- Spain (1.9 points)
- Netherlands (1.5 points)
- Italy and Poland (both 0.9), while it fell again in France (1.3 points).
On the other hand, the indicator Employment Expectations it remained broadly stable, well above the long-term average.
In the European Union had a slight decrease of 0.4 points, up to 105.9 points while it did not suffer changes in the eurozonewhere it remained at 107.3 points.
