
Sideways Movement in Economic Assessments
The index of current situation assessments for the total economy rose by 0.1 points in August, but remained just below the zero line at –2.8 points. In manufacturing, the situation index gained some momentum again (+4.5 points), but at –10.9 points was still well below the zero line that separates positive from negative situation assessments. In the construction industry, the situation index gained 0.3 points and is now in confident territory at 3.7 points. In the services sector, the situation index fell (–2.0 points) and was again just in negative territory at –0.6 points. The situation index also deteriorated in the retail sector (–3.0 points), although it was still just in positive territory at 0.8 points.
The index of business expectations for the total economy fell in August (–0.5 points) and, at –2.1 points, remained below the zero line that separates negative from positive economic expectations. In the retail sector, the expectations index rose slightly (+0.2 points) and, at –10.5 points, was in the area of sceptical economic expectations. In the services sector, the expectations index lost 0.9 points and was still just in positive territory at 0.4 points. There was an improvement in the construction industry (+1.9 points). At 3.6 points, the expectations index was more stable above the zero line. In the manufacturing sector, which is important for the economy, the expectations index fell slightly in August (–0.9 points) and remained in the sceptical economic expectations range at –5.5 points – albeit at the second-highest level since May 2023.
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