In August, the consumer confidence indicator decreased in the Euro Area, while the economic sentiment indicator increased. In the same month, the raw materials and oil prices presented monthly change rates of -5.6% and -18.7%, respectively (-0.7% and -6.2% in July).
In Portugal, the economic activity indicator increased slightly in July and the economic climate indicator, already available for August, stabilized. In July, the Short-Term Statistics revealed an activity increase in industry and in some sectors of services and a decrease in construction and public works. The private consumption indicator presented a less intense year-on-year growth rate in July, reflecting the behaviour of both components, mainly the durable consumption component. The Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) indicator slightly increased, especially due to the more intense positive contribution of the transport material component. Concerning the international trade of goods, exports and imports recorded year-on-year nominal change rates of 6.0% and 3.8% in July, respectively (7.3% and 9.3% in June).
Accordingly, to the provisional monthly estimates of Labour Force Survey, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate (15 to 74 years old) was 12.1% in July (12.3% in June). The employed population estimate (15 to 74 years old), seasonally adjusted, increased 0.6% comparing with previous month and 1.8% comparing with July 2014.
The year-on-year change rate of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) was 0.7% in August (0.8% in the two previous months), with a change rate of 0.3% in the goods component (0.4% in July) and 1.2% in the services component (1.3% in the previous month).