By Mucahithan Avcioglu
ISTANBUL (AA) - The economic sentiment in the euro area and the EU decreased by 1 point on a monthly basis in February to 98.3, below market expectations, the European Commission said on Thursday.
The rise in the index was driven by a significant drop in confidence in the services sector, with construction also contributing to a lesser extent.
Meanwhile, the Eurozone Consumer Confidence Index rose from minus 12.4 in January to minus 12.2 in February.
On the EU side, the consumer confidence also rose from minus 11.9 in January to minus 11.7.
Thus, there was a slight increase in consumers' expectations regarding the general economic situation in the eurozone.
The eurozone/euro area, or EA21, represents member states that use the EU's single currency, the euro.