VIENNA (dpa-AFX) - Eurozone economic confidence improved in January, posting the first increase in sentiment since March 2011, a survey by the European Commission showed Monday. The corresponding indicator rose to 93.4 from 92.8 in December. Economists had forecast an increase to 93.8 from December's original score of 93.3. Industrial confidence remained unchanged compared to the revised reading of -7.2 of December. This was forecast to rise to -6.8 from the December's initial reading of -7.1. The sentiment in services rose to -0.6 from -2.6 in the previous month. Retailers' confidence, meanwhile dropped to -15.5 from a revised -12.2 in the previous month. Sentiment in construction, however, increased to -28.3 from -28.9. Consumer confidence rose to -20.7 in January, mainly on the back of easing unemployment fears. Consumers' assessment of the expected general economic situation and their own financial situation improved at the EU level, but remained unchanged at the euro-area level. A separate survey revealed an improvement in business confidence in the euro area for a second consecutive month. Confidence increased to -0.21 in January from -0.32 in December. Economists had forecast a score of -0.25.
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