Inconsistent Economic Development with Low Momentum

28.05.2019

WIFO-Konjunkturtest May 2019

The results of the WIFO-Konjunkturtest (business cycle survey) of May 2019 continue to show quite confident economic assessments by Austrian companies despite significant declines compared to the previous year. There are clear differences across the sectors. While economic assessments are improving in the manufacturing and construction sectors, the service branches are showing declining trends.

The index of current assessments for the economy as a whole in May (excluding seasonal fluctuations) remains 1.5 points below the value of the previous month but remains at a confident level of 12.7 points. In the construction industry, the index remained virtually unchanged (+0.2 points) and remains at a very optimistic level of 30.7 points. In the service industries, the index loses ground significantly (–3.2 points), but at 12.7 points continues to signal a good service economy. In the economically important manufacturing sector, the situation index is regaining some ground (+0.8 points) after the significant declines of the past few months and, at 7.6 points, continues to be in the range of satisfactory economic assessments.

The business expectations index fell slightly (–0.6 points) to 9.3 points. In the construction industry, the expectation index gained 3.8 points, while the index value remained within confident ranges at 14.2 points. The expectation index also rises in the manufacturing sector (+1.1 points) but continues to be just above zero at 2.5 points. In the service sectors, on the other hand, the expectation index fell (–2.4 points). The index score of 12.6 points, however, continues to signal confident economic expectations. Thus, heterogeneous developments across the sectors remain evident in May.

Details on all sectors in the current economic survey can be found here.
 

 

Publications

WIFO Business Cycle Survey, 2019, 12 pages
Supported by: European Commission
Study by: Austrian Institute of Economic Research
Online since: 28.05.2019 14:00
Die Ergebnisse des WIFO-Konjunkturtests vom Mai 2019 zeigen eines trotz deutlichen Rückganges gegenüber dem Vorjahr eine weiterhin recht zuversichtliche Konjunktureinschätzung durch die österreichischen Unternehmen. Zwischen den Sektoren variiert die Stimmung erheblich: Während sich die Konjunkturbeurteilung in der Sachgütererzeugung und der Bauwirtschaft aufhellt, ist der Indikator in den Dienstleistungsbranchen rückläufig.
Please contact

Dr. Werner Hölzl

Research groups: Industrial, Innovation and International Economics
© AhmedElqsas/behance.net
© AhmedElqsas/behance.net