Euro zone consumer sentiment rises unexpectedly in September

The euro zone's consumer confidence index unexpectedly
rose in September, the European Commission said in its
preliminary estimates.

Confidence among consumers in the region's 19 countries
rose to -1.2 from -1.5 in August, the European Commission said.
Analysts had expected the index to remain unchanged from August.

In the European Union as a whole, consumer sentiment improved,
bringing the index up 0.8 points to -1.5 in September.

Initial estimates did not give details of why consumers were more
optimistic.