Euro zone sentiment up, inflation expectations also grow

The European Commission's monthly survey showed on Thursday that economic sentiment in the 17 countries using the euro rose to 107.8 this month, a 41-month high, from a revised 106.8 in January. Economists polled by Reuters expected a 106.8 February reading.

Sentiment gained in all sectors of the economy, most markedly among builders, consumers and in the services sector.

"Today's data confirm that an acceleration of GDP growth in the first quarter of the year is likely after the relatively poor performance recorded in Q4 2010," said Clemente de Lucia, economist at BNP Paribas.

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