Flash GDP in the euro area: 0.4% in the forth quarter

According to flash estimates of Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities, euro area GDP rose by 0.4% in the forth quarter 2007. The data was below GDP index in the third quarter, when euro area economy rose by 0.8%, but slightly above analysts’ estimates as they expected increase by 0.3%.

Compared with the same quarter of the previous year, euro area GDP increased by 2.3%, after 2.7% in the third quarter. The analysts expected increase by 2.2%.

Eurostat also reported of GDP growth of its major partners, USA and Japan. US GDP was 0.2% in the forth quarter, after increase by 1.3% in the third quarter. GDP in Japan increased by 0.9% in the forth quarter, after 0.3% in the third quarter. Compared with the same quarter of the previous year, GDP grew in the forth quarter by 2.5% in US and 1.8% in Japan, after 2.8% and 1.9% in the third quarter respectively.