Economic sentiment rises in Europe

BRUSSELS, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- The European Commission said Wednesday that its Economic Sentiment Indicator rose in Europe in February, continuing a trend that began in November.

In a release posted on the EU website, the European Commission said its monthly measure of business confidence added 1.6 points in the 17-member eurozone to 91.1 and 1.2 points in the 27-member European Union to 92.

The commission said sentiment improved in industry and service businesses but "booked moderate decreases" in retail trade and construction.

Consumer confidences also "improved marginally," the commission said.

In the month, "employment plans were mildly revised downwards in services and more sharply in retail trade," the report said.