Euro-area economic confidence highest since 2011

Madrid

EURO-AREA economic confidence hit a six-year high in January, adding to signs of stronger growth and inflation that are fuelling a debate about European Central Bank stimulus.

An index of executive and consumer sentiment rose to 108.2 from 107.8 in December, the European Commission said on Monday. That's the highest reading since March 2011 and compares with the 107.8 median estimate in a Bloomberg survey of economists.