The Employment Expectations Indicator (EEI) eased mildly in the euro area (by 0.3 points to 105.0) and the EU (by 0.6 points to 104.5). The improvement of euro area sentiment resulted from higher confidence among consumers and, to a lesser extent, industry managers, while sentiment in services, retail trade and construction remained virtually unchanged. Amongst the largest euro area economies, the ESI saw marked improvements in the Netherlands (+2.0), France (+1.9) and Spain (+1.2), while a more moderate one in Germany (+0.6). Sentiment in Italy remained flat (+0.0). As regards financial services confidence, the EU aggregate moved essentially sideways, rather than picking up. The Employment Expectations Indicator eased mildly (-0.3), with brighter employment plans in construction counterbalanced by more pessimistic ones in industry. Services and retail trade managers, by contrast, posted no significant changes to their employment plans. Consumers’ unemployment expectations, which are not included in the EEI, remained fairly stable. Important notice: please be aware that starting with this month’s edition, the ESI press release will be subject to some changes