In September 2012, all indicators measuring business climate and economic sentiment declined due to negative situation in both EU27 and Euro area. The Business Climate Indicator (BCI) for the euro area decreased by 0.16 points to 1.34 compared to August 2012, while the Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) decreased by 0.9 points in the EU, to 86.1, and by 1.1 points in the euro area, to 85.0. The consumer confidence indicator (CCI) declined in both the EU (to -23.9 from -22.7 in August 2012) and the euro area (to -25.9 from -24.6 in August 2012).

The BCI’s decline was caused mostly by more negative assessment of production expectations, order books and past production. The ESI’s decrease was created mainly by weaker confidence among services and retail trade managers, and consumers.

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