Assessments of the Current Situation Slightly Weaker, Expectations in the Manufacturing Sector Have Improved

The results of the WIFO-Konjunkturtest (business cycle survey) show a slight improvement in businesses' assessments of the economic situation in September. The WIFO Business Climate Index stood at –1.4 points (seasonally adjusted), 0.2 points above the August figure. Assessments of the current situation deteriorated slightly. These slight declines were evident across all sectors. Economic expectations, on the other hand, improved, but remained at a subdued level. The rise in expectations is primarily attributable to the improvement in the expectations index for manufacturing. In construction, expectations rose slightly; in services, they remained virtually unchanged; and in the retail sector, they deteriorated slightly.