PRESS RELEASE BUSINESS TENDENCY SURVEY MONTHLY, FEBRUARY 2010
Manufacturing industry reports strong order growth
The confidence indicator for the business sector rose a further three points in February. It has now risen for eleven consecutive months and is considerably above the historic average. All sectors of the economy, except the retail trade, made a positive contribution. The retail trade confidence indicator fell back in February, following a record level the previous month.
On the way upMan of textiles, clothing and leather products
Man of rubber and plastic products
Man of other non-metallic mineral products
Iron and steel basic products
Man of fabricated metal products
Man of machinery and equipment n.e.c.
Man of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers
Man of other transport equipment
Construction
Hotels and restaurants
Land transport
Activities of travel agencies and tour operators
Post and telecommunications
Rental (excl. personnel)
The business situation is strong for:Man of food, beverages and tobacco
Sawmilling and planing of wood
Man of other products of wood
Man of pulp
Man of paper and paperboard
Man of electrical machinery and apparatus n.e.c.
Sale, maintenance and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles
Retail sale of non-durable goods
Retail sale of durable goods
Computer and related activities
Other business activities
The business situation is weak for:Publishing, printing and reprod of recorded media
Man of chemicals and chemical products
Letting of own property
Real estate activities on a fee or contract basis
The manufacturing industry reports strong order growth from both the domestic and export markets for the past three months. Output has also increased considerably, while employment has continued to decline. The confidence indicator rose seven points in February and is above the historic average. Industrial firms forecast continued strong output growth for the next few months. The order situation in the construction industry remains weak and employment has continued to decline. Meanwhile firms are signalling increasingly clearly that activity will increase in the next few months. However, tender prices are expected to continue to fall somewhat.
The retail trade confidence indicator fell back in February, following a record level the previous month. The situation in the sector is nevertheless much stronger than normal and sales have continued to rise. Employment has also risen somewhat, mainly due to new recruitment in the durable goods trade. The retail trade forecasts continued strong sales growth for the next few months and employment is expected to continue rising in the durable goods trade.
The private service sector reports continued increased demand for the past few months. Growth has been particularly strong for travel agencies and computer consultants. However, the demand situation remains weaker than normal and employment has declined further. The confidence indicator rose for the tenth consecutive month and is somewhat above the historic average. Service firms forecast continued demand growth for the next few months, while employment is expected to remain largely unchanged.
Extra question: Credit and financing terms in the business sector
| Max- value
|
Min- value
|
Situation
|
| Total Industry
|
6
|
26
|
-29
|
8
|
12
|
15
|
+
|
| Manufacturing
|
-5
|
14
|
-41
|
-8
|
-4
|
3
|
+
|
| Construction
|
-18
|
47
|
-84
|
-36
|
-26
|
-23
|
-
|
| Retail trade
|
13
|
42
|
-24
|
33
|
42
|
31
|
++
|
| Private Service Sectors
|
21
|
46
|
-21
|
24
|
26
|
29
|
+
|
Published: 25 February 2010
