EU: March 60.3
Euro area: March 64.6
The fall in the ESI is attributed to the deteriorating sentiment in the industry and services sectors, which fell by the same amount (-2 points) in both regions. In the other sectors, a mixed picture is emerging. Consumer sentiment stabilised in the EU, but fell by 1 point in the euro area. Retail trade increased by 2 points in the EU and by 1 point in the euro area, reinforcing the rebound which started in February. Construction in both regions stabilised at the levels seen in February.
Among the largest Member States, Italy witnessed the most significant decline in sentiment (-4.5 points), while the fall has been more marginal in France and Poland (-1.0), Germany (-0.8) and the UK (-0.4). Economic sentiment recovered slightly in the Netherlands (1.3) and in Spain (0.8).
The financial services confidence indicator – not included in the ESI – improved by 1 point in the EU but deteriorated by 4 points in the euro area, reversing the previous month's gain. Compared to February, managers' expectation of demand for their services worsened in both areas – significantly in the euro area, but to a much lesser extent in the EU.
Industrial confidence indicator (s.a.)
EU: March -39
Euro area: March -38
Service confidence indicator (s.a.)
EU: March -31
Euro area: March -25
Consumer confidence indicator (s.a.)
EU: March -32
Euro area: March -34
Retail trade confidence indicator (s.a.)
EU: March -22
Euro area: March -18
Construction confidence indicator (s.a.)
EU: March -38
Euro area: March -32
Financial services confidence indicator (n.s.a.)
EU: March -19
Euro area: March -22
