The Sentix business climate index for the euro area increased by 4.2 points in September, reaching +5.1. The reading is the strongest level recorded since February 2022.
The rise represents the fifth consecutive month the indicator has moved higher, a trend that began in April and suggests a gradual recovery in the shared currency region. In March and April, the index had been under pressure from the fallout of the Iran conflict and a sharp surge in energy prices.
Economists surveyed by Sentix had expected the index to edge up only to +0.9 points, making the actual +5.1 reading a notable outperformance. Sentix analysts said the upturn in "Euroland" continues to gain substance in September, noting that Germany contributed positively to the improvement and that the recent state elections in Saxony‑Anhalt did not appear to unsettle investors.
The Sentix questionnaire was fielded from 3 to 5 September and gathered responses from 1,052 investors, of which 209 were institutional participants.
