Eurozone economic confidence weakened in September largely driven by the deterioration in sentiment among consumers, survey results from the European Commission showed on Thursday. <\/p>\n
The economic confidence index fell to 93.3 in September from 93.6 in the previous month. But the reading was above economists’ forecast of 92.5.<\/p>\n
The overall fall was driven by the marked fall in consumer sentiment and moderate weakness in confidence among retailers and builders. <\/p>\n
The industrial sentiment index improved to -9.0 in September from -9.9 a month ago. While managers’ opinion on the current level of overall order books continued to worsen, their production expectations improved for the second consecutive month. <\/p>\n
With more downbeat views on past demand, the services confidence indicator dropped moderately to 4.0 in September from 4.3 in the previous month. <\/p>\n
Consumer confidence declined markedly for the second straight month as survey respondents became more pessimistic about their past and future financial situation and the expected general economic situation. At -17.8, the consumer sentiment index matched the flash estimate and dropped from -16.0 in August. <\/p>\n