7

After the fourth consecutive monthly increase, the index is now 13 points above its level of a year ago and over 8 points above the ten-year average.

At the monthly level the index was boosted by the sentiment in services (up 1.3 points) and manufacturing (up 0.4 points).

Consumer confidence (-0-4 points) and retail (-0.2 points) exerted downward pressure.

At the annual level the sentiment in services was up 6.7 points and consumer confidence rose 2.9 points.