Economic Assessments Show Little Momentum

The index of current assessments of the overall economy fell by 0.5 points in September and remained below zero at –3.4 points. In manufacturing, the situation index lost momentum (–1.7 points) and remained well below zero at –12.7 points, which separates positive from negative assessments of the situation. In the construction industry, the situation index lost 3.6 points, but at 0.9 points it was still just above zero. In the service sectors, the situation index rose slightly (+0.2 points), but at –0.6 points it remained slightly in negative territory. In the retail sector, the situation index improved (+2.6 points), registering 3.4 points in positive territory.

The index of business expectations for the economy as a whole rose in September (+0.7 points), but remained below zero at –1.3 points, which separates negative from positive economic expectations. In the retail sector, the expectations index declined slightly (–1.1 points) and remained in the range of sceptical economic expectations at –11.6 points. In the service sectors, the expectations index gained 1.9 points and was back in positive territory at 2.2 points. The construction industry saw a deterioration (–0.7 points). However, at 2.7 points, the expectations index remained above zero. In the manufacturing sector, which is important for the economy, the expectations index declined slightly in September (–0.3 points) and remained in the sceptical range at –5.3 points.