BRATISLAVA, March 29, (WEBNOVINY) — Following a modest deterioration reported in February 2012, the economic sentiment improved in March by 1.2 points to 91 points. The Statistics Office of the Slovak Republic reported positive development with all sectors included in the calculations of the indicator. Nonetheless, the indicator still lags behind the level from a year ago by 4.6 points and lacks 6.6 points compared with the long-term average.
The industry confidence index grew 4.3 percentage points in the observed period, taking it to 3 points, which was above the level of the long-term average. The index was influenced by production increase expected in the next three months. The decline in construction confidence indicator recorded over the past three months stopped in March. Its value bolstered 1 point from February to minus 47.5 points. This uptick is attributable to more optimistic expectations of employment development. The index was 22.5 points below the long-term average.
The trade confidence indicator stagnated at February’s 10.7 points although its components changed. Improved outlooks for the business situation compensated for the negative development of inventories. The confidence indicator in services again increased after two months of decline. It gained 9.7 percentage points on the previous month to 29 points, which was 3 points below the long-term average.
The consumer confidence indicator ticked up 0.2 points in monthly terms to minus 32.3 points. Respondents were less worried about economic outlooks. Compared with the situation a year ago, the indicator lost 0.1 points.
SITA
