The economic sentiment index deteriorated in the euro area and the EU in February, but improved in Hungary

The economic sentiment index (ESI) in both the euro area and the European Union deteriorated to 98.3 points in February from 99.3 points in January.

The Employment Expectations Indicator (EEI) in the EU fell from 99.2 points in January to 98.5 points, and in the euro area from 98.2 points to 97.6 points in February.

The consumer sentiment index in the EU was minus 11.7 points in February, similar to January, and in the euro area it strengthened from minus 12.4 points to minus 12.2 points.

In Hungary, the Economic Sentiment Index (ESI) improved to 96.5 points in February from 95.1 points in January. The Employment Expectations Index (EEI) changed from 101.6 points to 98.8 points. The industrial indicator strengthened from minus 11.1 points in January to minus 8.6 points, while the service sector index fell from minus 13.2 points to minus 16.1 points.

Consumer sentiment improved from minus 19.6 points to minus 17.8 points. The retail sentiment index fell from minus 18.7 points in January to minus 19.5 points. The construction sentiment index improved to minus 22.3 points in February from minus 25.4 points in the previous month.