Business Confidence Higher. Business Cycle Report of May 2006
Business surveys in Austria and in the euro area indicate a marked increase in confidence, suggesting a further pick-up in economic activity. However, the first quarter of 2006 saw a slight deceleration in economic growth in Austria due to unfavourable weather conditions. Inflation in March dropped to its lowest level in recent years, despite the persistent rise in fuel prices. Conditions on Austria's labour market improved in April. Employment growth was accompanied by a decline in unemployment.