Mubasher:  The European Union (EU) issued today several negative economic data, amid slowing global economic growth and the oil price plunge to lowest level since 2013.

The European Commission (EC) said in a statement that EU consumer confidence index stood at 105 in January, falling behind expectations (106.4) as well as last month (106.7).  

Likewise, EU industry confidence index came in at (-3.2), below expectations (-2.4) and the previous month (-2).

EU business climate index also dropped to 0.29 from 0.41 a month ago, against projections that reached 0.39.

Moreover, EU services sentiment index registered 11.6, unlike projections (12.9) and the previous month (12.8).

Meanwhile, EU consumer index remained unchanged at (-6.3).

On the other hand, Chinese industrial institutions’ profits declined by 4.7% year-on-year, 1.4% higher than the estimated rate.