Consumer confidence in Europe has improved

Consumer confidence in the euro area and the European Union improved markedly in February, according to a preliminary flash estimate released by the European Commission on Thursday.

In the euro area, which comprises 19 countries, the consumer confidence index rose by 1.5 points to 6.6 points.

Analysts expected a slight decline of minus 8.2 points after the minus 8.1 points in January.

The consumer confidence index rose by 1.2 points to 5.9 points in the 27 Member States of the European Union. (MTI)