The consumer sentiment index across the euro area further improved in February compared to the previous month, rising by the expected 1.7 points to reach minus 19. However, it remained below its long-term average despite going upward for the fourth month in a row. The reading for the whole European Union rose to minus 20.6.
The Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) recovered in the Eurozone by reaching 99.9 points, as well as in the EU where it went up to 98 points. The ESI neared its long-term average with this third consecutive increase. In the same period, the Employment Expectations Indicator (EEI) expanded to 108.5 in the EU and to 110.1 in the euro area to remain above its long-term average.
