The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) for the Euro Area increased 1.0 percent in January and now stands at 106.2 (2004=100), after increasing 0.3 percent in December 2012 and 0.6 percent in November 2012.

"The Euro Area Leading Economic Index improved for the third month in a row, indicating that stabilizing financial conditions are having a positive effect on the economic outlook," said Bert Colijn , Economist for Europe at The Conference Board. "However, while this month's widespread improvement is encouraging, continued credit constraints and austerity measures remain stumbling blocks to a quick recovery."

The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index (CEI) for the Euro Area, which measures current economic activity, was unchanged in January, according to preliminary estimates. The index now stands at 101.3 (2004 = 100)*. The CEI decreased 0.1 percent in both December 2012 and November 2012.