The euro area Economic Sentiment Indicator increased 1.0 pts to 96.3 (vs 96.0 expected) in February with the Employment Expectations Indicator down -1.5 pts to 97.0.

• The consumer confidence indicator improved 0.6 pts to -13.6, a 4-month high. Amongst the business segments, industry saw the largest increase of 1.3 pts to -11.4, above expectations of a smaller increase to -12.

• The consumer inflation expectations index grew 0.9 pts to 21.1, remaining near two year highs.

• Selling price expectations fell considerably in services and construction, and, to a lesser extent, in retail trade, while continuing to edge up in industry.