The Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) for Croatia has increased by 1.9 points, from 121.8 points in June to 123.7 points in July, continuing its rise for nine consecutive months. Its lowest point was recorded in August 2009, when it stood at 76.4 points, and it has now reached a record high level.
The most pronounced improved was observed in the services sector as the Services Confidence Indicator rose by 9.1 points to 21.2. It was followed by the retail trade sector (up 1.7 points to 5.3 points). Construction confidence also improved slightly, by 1.7 points to -24.4 points.
Sentiment declined in the industrial sector (down 2.1 points to 2.7 points) and among consumers (down 0.4 points to -21.6 points).
In the 28-member EU, economic sentiment in July increased by 1.1 points to 106.6 points. The marked improvement followed broadly flat developments over the last quarter.
Confidence improved significantly in the services and retail sectors. The Services Confidence Indicator rose by 2.3 points to 10.9 points and the Retail Trade Confidence Indicator increased by two points to four points. Industry confidence improved by 0.7 points to -2.6 points.
On the other hand, sentiment worsened in construction and among consumers. Construction confidence slipped 0.7 points to -19.2 points, and consumer confidence fell by 1.6 points to -4.9 points.
In July, the ESI edged up in the euro area by 0.5 points to 104 points.
Improved sentiment in the euro area was recorded in all the observed segments with the exception of consumer confidence. Retail trade confidence rallied by 2.3 points to 1 point. Other indices improved with increases ranging from 0.3 points to 1 point.
On the other hand consumer confidence slipped by 1.5 points to -7.1 points.
In a separate EC survey of the Business Climate Indicator (BCI), figures for July show an increase in the 19 member states in the euro zone which is indicated in the increase of 0.25 points to 0.39 points of the BCI.