16-05-2008
Data shows better-than-expected growth in eurozone
News by Adfero for Simply Business - independent providers of public liability insurance, business finance, landlord insurance, buy-to-let mortgages & commercial mortgages.
The Eurozone's economic performance over the first quarter of 2008 has been better than expected, new data has revealed.
Data released by Eurostat has revealed that over the course of 2008's first quarter, the eurozone's gross domestic product (GDP) increased by a total of 0.7 per cent.
The reported level of growth exceeds expectations as it had been thought that the area would expand by 0.5 per cent.
However, Martin Lueck, an analyst from UBS, warned that "despite the positive surprise contained in today's numbers, it is important to realise that they are a look in the rear mirror".
"Going forward, we expect the euro area economy to slow."
Nevertheless, compared with the same point in 2007, the eurozone's GDP has increased by 2.2 per cent.
Within the European Union, the eurozone is made up of a total of 15 different member states, including Austria, Slovenia, Spain and Malta.