Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities, and the European Central Bank (ECB) have released a detailed set of quarterly European sector accounts. The accounts focus on three key indicators: the household saving rate, and the investment rate and profit share of non-financial businesses.
Household saving rate up in the euro area
In the third quarter of 2008, the seasonally adjusted gross saving rate of households was 14.4% in the euro area (EA15). It was 14.0% in the second quarter of 2008. In the EU27, the household saving rate was 10.7% in the third quarter of 2008, compared with 10.6% in the second quarter of 2008.
Business investment rate still growing in the euro area
The investment rate of non-financial corporations was 23.5% in the euro area in the third quarter of 2008 compared with 23.3% in the second quarter of 2008. In the EU27, the investment rate was 23.6% in the third quarter of 2008. It was also 23.6% in the second quarter of 2008.
Business profit shares down in both zones
In the third quarter of 2008, the profit share of non-financial corporations was 38.4% in the euro area. It was 39.1% in the second quarter of 2008. In the EU27, the profit share was 38.1% in the third quarter of 2008 compared with 38.4% in the second quarter of 2008.