The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for the Euro Area rose 0.1 percent in February to 111.1 (2004=100), following a 1.4 percent increase in January and a 0.3 increase in December 2013.
"This month's reading of the Leading Economic Index for the Euro Area suggests that we are leaving the rebound effects from the recession behind us, and that the pace of growth may not accelerate further," said Bert Colijn, Senior Economist at The Conference Board.
"The small gain in the LEI in February, together with the slowdown in its six-month growth rate, points at the stabilization in economic conditions. Although the labor market has started providing some momentum, with both income and employment picking up in the fourth quarter, declines in inflation and manufacturing surveys could keep the Euro Area economy from lifting off."
The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index® (CEI) for the Euro Area, which measures current economic activity, decreased 0.1 percent in February, according to preliminary estimates. The index now stands at 101.2* (2004 = 100). The CEI increased 0.2 percent in January and decreased 0.2 percent in December 2013.
