Press Release: December 2012: Economic sentiment improves in the euro area and remains broadly stable in the EU

In December the Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) improved by 1.3 points in the euro area, to 87.0 and remained broadly unchanged (+0.3 points) at 88.4 in the EU. Economic sentiment in the euro area improved among consumers and across all sectors, except retail trade. In the EU, economic sentiment registered increases in industry and construction, which were partly offset by decreases in services and retail trade. EU consumer confidence remained broadly unchanged.