Figures from the European Commission show that business and consumer confidence in the euro zone rose again in August but at a slower pace than the previous month.
The Economic Sentiment Indicator produced by the European Commission rose to 101.8 points in the euro zone, matching a two-year high, with Germany leading the way with an increase of 1.1 points.
Sentiment also climbed across the 27-nation EU, rising 0.6 points to 102.7 points with Britain, which is not a member of the euro zone, gaining 1.5 points.
The Commission said consumer confidence 'improved markedly' in the EU and the euro zone. 'Widely-felt optimism about the general economic situation as well as further considerable easing of unemployment fears set the tone,' it said.
Economic sentiment is now at its highest level since March 2008, when it also stood at 101.8 points. Business and consumer confidence had surged by 2.2 points to 101.1 points in July, according to slightly revised figures from the Commission.
