Eurozone economic sentiment dropped -0.5 to 111.6 in August, down from 112.1 and below expectation of 112.2. That’s also the eighth straight month of deterioration. Industrial confidence dropped to 5.5, down from 5.8 and below expectation of 5.5. Services confidence dropped to 14.7, down from 15.3 and below expectation of 15.2. Consumer confidence was finalized at -1.9.
Eurostats noted that “the decrease in the euro-area sentiment indicator resulted from a marked deterioration of confidence among consumers and a milder decrease in the services sector, which were only partly offset by increases in the retail trade and construction sectors.” Meanwhile, “confidence in the industry sector remained broadly stable”.
Also, the sentiment indicator was virtually unchanged in Germany, which was down by -0.1. But notable decreases are seen in France (-1.3), Italy (-0.8), Spain (-0.7) and the Netherlands (-0.5).
Business climate indicator dropped to 1.22, down from 1.29 and missed expectation of 1.25.
Also released in European session, German unemployment dropped -8k in August, matched expectation. Unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.2%. UK Mortgage approvals was unchanged at 65k in July. M4 money supply rose 0.9% mom in July.
