Economic Assessments Remain Sceptical

The index of current situation assessments for the overall economy fell by 0.2 points in April and remained below the zero line at –6.6 points. In the manufacturing sector, which is particularly important for the economy, the situation index rose slightly (+1.7 points), but at –18.5 points was still well below the zero line that separates positive from negative situation assessments. In the construction industry, the situation index gained 2.0 points and remained in the sceptical range at –2.7 points. In the services sector, on the other hand, the situation index fell by 0.7 points and remained just in negative territory at –1.1 points. The situation index also fell in the retail sector (–2.1 points) and was just in negative territory at –0.5 points.

The index of business expectations for the economy overall remained almost stable in April (+0.1 points), but at –7.0 points was still below the zero line that separates negative from positive economic expectations. In the retail sector, the expectations index lost 3.9 points and remained in the sceptical economic expectations range at –17.6 points. In the services sector, the expectations index gained 0.6 points, but remained below the zero line at –2.6 points. There was a slight improvement in the construction industry (+0.5 points). At –3.1 points, the expectations index remained below the zero line. In manufacturing, the expectations index rose in April (+0.9 points) but remained in the sceptical economic expectations range at –11.6 points: despite improvements, the majority of business situation and production expectations remained in negative territory.