After a fleeting spell of stability, sentiment across the European economy weakened again in March. Fading optimism in services and retail sectors pushed confidence deeper below historical levels, casting doubt over the bloc’s ability to shake off stagnation anytime soon.
In a report shared Friday by the European Commission, the Economic Sentiment Indicator for March dropped 0.9 points in the European Union to 96.0, and 1.1 points in the euro area to 95.2—well below the long-term average of 100. The latter missed economic expectations of a rebound to 97.
