BRUSSELS (AP) — Confidence in the economy of Europe's 19-country eurozone is up across the region for a second successive month thanks in particular to greater optimism among consumers.

The Economic Sentiment Indicator, a monthly survey by the European Union's executive Commission, rose to 104.7 points in May from 104.0 in April, according to a report Monday.

Consumers expressed greater confidence over the general future of the eurozone economy, the prospects for employment as well as savings. Industry managers also sounded more upbeat, in particular about a rise in orders.

Among the eurozone's biggest countries, France saw the strongest rise in confidence, with Germany enjoying a smaller uptick.

The industry and retail sectors expressed a greater interest in hiring, a potential boon to a region still blighted by high unemployment.