The Portuguese National Institute of Statistics recently reported that retail sales rose 2.9% in Portugal in May from the previous month; while in the European Union fell 0.1% . In relation to the homologous period of 2013, the sales in this sector increased by 1.3% above the EU average.
On the other hand, the indicator of consumer confidence also grew during the month of June, “prolonging the marked positive movement observed since the beginning of 2013, recording the highest level since November 2009”, according to the institute. Similarly, the INE noticed improvement in the confidence indicator of Construction and Public Works for the same period, because of the return of the “upward movement occurred since August 2012. The evolution of this indicator in the reference month reflected the recovery of portfolio reviews of orders and employment prospects, more expressive in the first case”.
Additionally, “the balance of perspectives on the evolution of the economic situation increased slightly in June maintaining the upward trend observed since the beginning of 2013 and presenting the highest since November 2009”, reported INE.
[photo credit: Martin Fisch]
