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The first estimate for the euro area (EA16) trade balance with the rest of the world in February 2010 gave a 2.6 bn euro surplus, compared with -1.2 bn in February 2009. The January 2010 balance was -9.0 bn, compared with -12.0 bn in January 2009. In February 2010 compared with January 2010, seasonally adjusted exports rose by 2.7% and imports by 1.5%.

Euro area annual inflation was 1.4% in March 2010, up from 0.9% in February. A year earlier the rate was 0.6%. Monthly inflation was 0.9% in March 2010.

Spain is singled out as a good example of how the government and social partners can work together to improve the working conditions of the self-employed and thus contribute to job creation and economic growth, according to a new report from Eurofound, the Dublin-based EU Agency.

The annual growth rate of the outstanding amount of debt securities issued by euro area residents decreased from 7.7% in January 2010 to 6.3% in February. For the outstanding amount of quoted shares issued by euro area residents, the annual growth rate was 3.0% in February 2010, compared with 2.9% in January.

In February 2010 compared with January 2010, seasonally adjusted industrial production grew by 0.9% in the euro area (EA16) and by 0.7% in the EU27. In January 20103 production increased by 1.6% and 1.7% respectively.

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for Spain declined 0.5 percent and The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index® (CEI) decreased 0.1 percent in February.

The European Central Bank (ECB) is publishing its fourth Report on Financial Integration in Europe, which notes the return towards integration in the European financial markets. Following the financial crisis, signs of retrenchment had become evident in several market segments. But as market conditions gradually returned to normal during 2009 and especially 2010, the markets that suffered most from the crisis also began to move back to pre-crisis integration levels. However, since the functionality of European financial markets has not yet been fully restored, vigilance and the ECB’s active presence in the market are still essential.

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for the U.K. increased 0.6 percent, and The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index® (CEI) increased 0.2 percent in February.

In February 2010, compared with January 2010, the volume of retail trade decreased by 0.6% in the euro area (EA16) and remained stable in the EU27. In January retail trade fell by 0.2% and 0.4% respectively.

Euro area (EA16) GDP was stable and EU27 GDP increased by 0.1% during the fourth quarter of 2009, compared with the previous quarter, according to second estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In the third quarter of 2009, growth rates were +0.4% in the euro area and +0.3% in the EU27.