A new Business Climate Indicator (BCI) and Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) have been released today. These indicators together with Flash Consumer Confidence Indicator are conducted by the Directorate General for Economic and Financial Affairs on a monthly basis.
In April 2012, the ESI has remained stable at 93.2 points (100 as a long term average) for the EU, but has decreased for the Euro area by 1.7 points to 92.8 points. We can see a very similar development for the BCI – a decrease by 0.24 to -0.52 points (with 0.0 as a reference value). The decrease is caused by weakening confidence in the industry and services sectors and by the more negative assessment of the export order books, production expectations, past production and overall order books. Both indicators remain well below their long term average. For more information click here.