Retail sales in the euro area grew stronger than expected

The European Union’s Statistical Office (Eurostat) reported that the seasonally adjusted retail sales stagnated in the 19-member eurozone, while on an annual basis increased by 1.9 percent.

Analysts expected an annual increase of 1.8 percent in February, after a revised increase from 2.8 percent to 3.0 percent. On a monthly basis analysts expected a 0.1 percent decline after the 0.5 percent increase of the previous month. (MTI)