PARIS (MNI) – Eurozone consumer sentiment recovered marginally in
March after eroding in February for the first time in 10 months,
according to the flash estimate released Monday by the European
Commission.
The sentiment index edged up 0.2 point in March to -17.2, still
more than five points below the long-term average. The final figure will
be released next Monday as a component of the Commission’s comprehensive
economic sentiment survey.
February’s downturn reflected mixed changes across components.
While consumers’ assessment of the economy recovered from a dip in
January, the outlook for the next 12 months deteriorated markedly. With
employment expected to trend higher over the coming year, especially in
Spain and in Italy, and family finances seen weakening somewhat,
consumers were slightly less inclined to make major purchases.
Consumers noted a pick-up in recent prices and were somewhat less
confident that inflation would remain subdued over the coming year.
–Paris newsroom +331 4271 5540; e-mail: stephen@marketnews.com
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