The euro area industrial confidence indicator rose to -3.8 in September 2026, its least pessimistic level since April 2023, from an upwardly revised -5 in August and above market expectations of -4.7. The improvement reflected stronger assessments of the production trend and order and export order-book levels, while stocks of finished products also increased. Looking ahead, assessments of production remained optimistic, although expectations for growth in selling prices also increased. Employment assessments were unchanged.