Consumer confidence in the Euro Area improved for the fourth consecutive month in August 2026, rising to -15.5 from -15.9 in July and beating market expectations of -16.3, according to preliminary estimates. This was the highest reading since February, despite the ongoing Middle East conflict, which continued to pose risks to inflation and the wider economic outlook. Confidence also edged higher across the broader European Union, with the index ticking up to -15 from -15.1 in the previous month.