European Business Activity Slowing Down

Following the sharp downturn in the USA, signs of weakening activity are also becoming more frequent in Europe. In the euro area, industrial confidence and consumer sentiment are on a downward trend, and money supply growth is decelerating. For the time being, the ECB has not relaxed monetary conditions, despite inflation subsiding and the gap between short and long-term interest rates virtually closed. Latest data for the euro area reaching into the winter months do not, however, suggest a downright slump in economic activity.