Euro area consumer sentiment was confirmed to have increased 0.3 pts to -14.2 in January. Consumers’ expectations about the general economic situation in their country improved slightly, while their perception of their households’ financial situation, both backward- and forward-looking, and their intentions to make major purchases remained broadly unchanged. Consumers' price expectations for the next twelve months fell slightly in January, after having risen three months in a row.

Confidence in the the industrial sector and services sector both improved, by 1.2 pts to -12.9 and by 0.9 pts to 6.9 respectively. Selling price expectations picked up in industry, services and retail trade, while remaining broadly stable in construction. Selling price expectations score above their long-term averages in all sectors, particularly so in services.