The Conference Board Leading Economic Index for the Euro Area increased 0.3 percent in July to 112.5 (2004=100), following a 0.1 percent decrease in June and a 0.4 percent increase in May.

"The sharp slowdown in the six-month growth rate of the Leading Economic Index for the Euro Area points to more sluggish economic performance for the remainder of this year," says Bert Colijn, Senior Economist at The Conference Board. "Although the majority of the leading indicators have improved slightly over the last six months, weakness in economic sentiment and business expectations persists amid the uncertainty surrounding the crisis in the Ukraine. 

The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index for the Euro Area, which measures current economic activity, was unchanged in July, according to preliminary estimates. The index now stands at 101.4* (2004 = 100). The CEI increased 0.1 percent in June and declined 0.2 percent in May.