MW: Euro-zone sentiment index rises for second month
The European Commission's gauge of economic sentiment across the 16-nation euro zone posted a stronger-than-expected rise in May. The economic sentiment indicator rose to 69.3 from a reading of 67.2 in April, just exceeding forecasts for a rise to 69.2. The rise marked the second consecutive monthly rise by the index, albeit from historically low levels. The retail sector drove the increase. The retail confidence index rose 5 points to -15, while the services index rose 1 point to -23 and the industry index rose a point to -34. The consumer-confidence index was unchanged at -31, and the construction index was steady at -34.
