Consumer sentiment in the euro area increased for the sixth consecutive month in May to its strongest level since the middle of last year, preliminary data from the European Commission showed Thursday.

The DG ECFIN flash estimate of the consumer confidence indicator for Eurozone came in at -21.9, up from April's final score of -22.3. Economists were looking for a score of -21.8 for May. The latest reading is the highest since July last year, when the figure was -21.3.

The confidence indicator the EU also improved in May, rising to -20.2 from -20.4.

The commission is set to release the final figure for consumer confidence along with the results of the Business and Consumer Survey on May 30.