The GKI-Erste economic sentiment index rose to minus 21.2 points in December, from minus 22.4 points in November, reaching the highest level in eight months. The improvement came on the back of increases in both business and consumer confidence.
Meanwhile, business sentiment rose to minus 11.3 points in December, also an eight-month high, from minus 12.4 points in November. The increase was driven by a notable improvement in the services sector, which compensated for a worsening in the construction and trade sectors outlook.