The ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment for the Euro Area, a survey-based measure of economic expectations, declined to 25.8 in September 2026 from 31.4 in August, which had been a six-month high. Analysts had expected the index to improve further to 39.9. Most surveyed analysts, 54.8%, saw no change in economic activity, while 35.5% expected improvement and 9.7% anticipated deterioration. The current-situation assessment strengthened by 7.6 points to -13.9, while inflation expectations increased 28.7 points to 31.1.