The Conference Board Leading Economic Index^® (LEI) for the Euro Area increased 0.9 percent in August and now stands at 108.9 (2004=100), after increasing 0.8 percent in July and 0.6 percent in June.

"The strong increase in the LEI for the third month in a row suggests a brightening outlook for the Euro Area," says Bert Colijn, economist for Europe at The Conference Board. "Improvements in business and consumer sentiment were the major drivers, while continued financial stability in the Euro Area is also helping to sustain the recovery. However, economic growth is likely to remain slow in the coming months due to low investment, high unemployment, and uncertainty about growth in export markets."

The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index^® (CEI) for the Euro Area, which measures current economic activity, remained unchanged in August, according to preliminary estimates. The index now stands at 101.0 (2004 = 100)*. The CEI declined 0.1 percent in July and was unchanged in June.