Business and consumer confidence in Europe barely improved in June, with expectations of economic recovery remaining broadly flat, the European Union said today.
The Economic Sentiment Indicator produced by the European Commission rose fractionally to 98.7 points in June across the 16 countries that share the euro currency, up from 98.4 points but short of April's two-year high of 100.6 points.
Across the 27-nation EU, the figure fell by 0.1 points to 100.1 points - a smidgeon above the neutral long-term average of 100, anything above which represents optimism and anything below which indicates concern for where the economy is going.
At national level, Britain, France and the Netherlands saw confidence sap the fastest, although Spain and Italy each felt markedly better about economic prospects there.
Managers in industry were less confident than those in services sectors.
