The Conference Board Economics Watch® European View

The economy is improving, but the average European is not noticing the improvements yet. Survey indicators about the European economy continue to strengthen as conditions in the Euro Area are stabilizing.

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for the Euro Area continued to rise in August. Several important economic factors have not yet improved, indicating that the economic environment remains recessionary.

Investment remains weak in the Euro Area due to continued uncertainty in the banking sector, curbing recovery prospects. Export growth is a potential upside to the economy, but weak emerging markets are currently a drag on the outlook for global trade.