In the third quarter of 2012, compared with the second quarter of 2012, the business investment rate decreased in both the euro area (EA17) and the EU27. In the euro area, the business profit share remained almost stable, as wage costs increased at nearly the same rate as value added.

These data come from a detailed set of seasonally adjusted quarterly European sector accounts released by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, and the European Central Bank (ECB).

Business investment rate down in both the EU27 and the euro area

In the third quarter of 2012, the gross investment rate of non-financial corporations was 19.6% in the EU27, compared with 19.9% in the second quarter of 2012.

Business profit share almost stable in both the EU27 and the euro area

In the EU27, the gross profit share of non-financial corporations was 37.6% in the third quarter of 2012, compared with 37.7% in the second quarter of 2012.

Business profit share almost stable in both the EU27 and the euro area

In the EU27, the gross profit share6 of non-financial corporations was 37.6% in the third quarter of 2012, compared with 37.7% in the second quarter of 2012.