BRATISLAVA, February 28, (WEBNOVINY) – After several months of positive development, the economic sentiment indicator in Slovakia again slumped in the second month of this year. According to data of the Statistics Office of the Slovak Republic, the economic sentiment indicator fell 0.4 points m/m in February to 89.8 points. The reason behind it were more pessimistic evaluations of businesses in industry, construction and services. In annualized terms, respondents’ evaluations were more pessimistic by 7.6 points. The latest figure lagged 7.8 points behind the long-term average.
Confidence indicator in the Slovak industry dropped 6 points to negative 1.3 points in the second month of 2012, which was 4.3 points below the long-term average. The statistics authority sees behind the drop mainly the expected production decrease in the next three months. Confidence indicator in construction continues to drop. Its value declined by seven points to minus 48.5 points in February from January. The statistics office attributes the deterioration to increased pessimism in evaluation of current demand and expected employment. In February, the indicator lagged 23.5 points behind the long-term average.
Commerce reported six-point growth in the confidence indicator to 10.7 points in February on the previous month, nearly approaching the long-term average. It was influenced by optimistic perception of its three components: the present-day and future business situation, as well as inventory. The confidence indicator in services sank 2.7 points from January to 19.3 points. The indicator’s development was influenced by a negative assessment of current demand, while expected demand and business situation were evaluated positively.
Consumer sentiment further improved in the second month. The indicator of consumer confidence rose 3.3 points on the previous month to minus 32.5 points thanks to fewer worries about the development of its three items – expected unemployment development, prospects of the country’s economic situation and expected financial situation of households. Compared with the same period of last year the rate of pessimism grew 6.4 points, while the latest result is below the long-term average, too.
SITA
