The IOBE's Industrial Developments Bulletin records a weakening of the economic climate due to the decline in industry and retail trade, with a slight improvement in consumer confidence.

In particular, the economic sentiment index stood at 110.6 points in June, compared to 111 points in the previous month and 109.2 points a year ago. A weakening of sentiment was recorded due to the decline in industry and retail trade with consumer confidence, services and construction strengthening.

The consumer confidence index strengthened slightly in June to -42.7 points (from -43.8 points in the previous month), lower than a year ago (-31.0 points).

The IOBE also recorded a weakening of expectations in manufacturing, at 108.3 points in June, down from 109.2 points in the previous month, marginally lower than a year ago (108.6 points).

Strengthening for industrial production in May compared to April, with a 6.8% (year-on-year) rise in Greece, compared to a 2.5% decline in the E.U. An improvement was recorded for domestic manufacturing, up 4.4%.

There was also a rise in manufacturing exports, up 11.2% y-o-y in April, and a widening of the trade deficit to 3.9 billion, from 3.1 billion a year ago.