The Conference Board Economics Watch^® - European View

Should Growth Return to the Euro Area Economy in 2013, It Is Likely to Be Weak

• The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for the Euro Area has increased for the last three months, and its six-month growth rate remains positive
• While some business confidence measures are improving, growth has probably not resumed yet
• Political uncertainties in Italy and Spain show that the risk of instability remains high
• The improved competitiveness of some troubled economies is due more to labor cost reductions than to productivity increases
• Lower costs help some troubled economies increase exports, but productivity growth is essential for a recovery in investment