EUROZONE DATA: Few Bright Spots In The EC's April Survey
Apr-29 10:30
The EC’s sentiment index slipped to 93.6 in April, below the 94.5 consensus and 95.0 prior for the lowest since October 2023. The results underscore ECB Governing Council concerns around the growth outlook, with few positive signals across the business and consumer sides of the survey.
Both industry (-11.2 vs 10.4 cons, -10.7 prior) and services (1.4 vs 2.2 cons, 2.2 prior) were weaker than expected.
Within the industry survey, the expected production component was 0.0, its weakest level YTD. There were no obvious signs of tariff front-running in the export orders component.
The retail confidence reading also softened to -8.9 (vs -7.0 prior). The future business activity component fell for a fourth consecutive month.
The expected employment indicator was steady at 96.5, the weakest since February 2021. Meanwhile, expected price metrics ticked up modestly across industries.
Consumer confidence was confirmed at -16.7 (vs -14.5 prior). All of the forward-looking components (financial situation, economic situation, unemployment expectations, capacity to save and major purchase intentions) weakened in April.
LOOK AHEAD: Tuesday Data Calendar: Inventories, House Prices, JOLTS Job Openings