The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) for the Euro Area increased by 1.0 percent in January, rising to 104.1 (2004 = 100), following a 0.4 percent increase in December and a 0.1 percent decrease in November. 

Said Jean-Claude Manini, The Conference Board Senior Economist for Europe: "The LEI for the Euro Area grew strongly in January, its second consecutive increase after trending down through November 2011. Leading indicators show that business, consumer, and financial-market confidence has improved following the December EU summit and the start of the ECB's Longer-Term Refinancing Operations (LTROs).  A fourth-quarter contraction in GDP and the contraction of the CEI for the Euro Area since August together illustrate the current weakness of the Euro Area economy as it muddles through the debt crisis.  Still, for now, the balance of risks continues to improve, suggesting that the Euro Area may manage to contain the debt crisis and avoid a longer and deeper recession."

The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index (CEI) for the Euro Area, which measures current economic activity, remained unchanged in January. The index stands at 102.6 (2004 = 100) according to preliminary estimates*. The CEI decreased 0.2 percent in December 2011 and was unchanged in November.