Slovakia's economic sentiment improves for sixth straight month in January 2014

By bne IntelliNews January 30, 2014

Slovakia's economic sentiment index improved for the sixth month in a row in January 2014, data from the country's statistics office showed. The value of the economic sentiment's three-month running average rose to 96.1 in January from 95.4 in December, thanks to a growth in four of the index's five components – industrial, construction, services and consumer confidence indicators.

The confidence indicator in industry gained 3 points in January to 2, reaching its long-term average. The development reflected expected increase of production in the next three months.

Confidence in the construction sector gained 7.5 points to -36 as a result of expected new jobs and of more favourable evaluations of the current demand. The indicator was by 8 points below its long-term average.

The retail trade confidence indicator decreased by 1.4 points in January to 3.3 points, affected by negative evaluations of expected business conditions and the stock of goods.

The confidence indicator in the services sector increased by 0.3 points in January to 8 points. The indicator was affected by positive evaluations of the business situation while the current demand was evaluated negatively by respondents.

After losing 0.5 points last month, the consumer confidence index increased by 5.5 points in January to -13.5, affected by improvement of all its components - expected economic situation, assumed development of the financial situation of households and the saving perspectives of households. The indicator exceeded in January its long-term average by 6.3 points and was by 23.6 points higher than a year ago.

On an annual basis, the January economic sentiment indicator was by 8.4 points higher, but it was also by 8.4 points lower than its long-term average.

  Jan-14 Dec-13 m/m change, points
Economic sentiment indicator (ESI) 96.1 95.4 0.7
Components of ESI:      
Industrial confidence indicator (40%) 2.0 -1.0 3.0
Construction confidence indicator (5%) -36.0 -43.5 7.5
Retail trade confidence indicator (5%) 3.3 4.7 -1.4
Services confidence indicator (30%) 8.0 7.7 0.3
Consumer confidence indicator (20%) -13.5 -19.0 5.5
Source: Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic      

Related Articles

Non-performing loans hit historic low in CESEE, but early warning signs emerge, says EBRD

Non-performing loans (NPLs) in central, eastern and south-eastern Europe (CESEE) fell to their lowest levels since the global financial crisis in 2024, but early indicators suggest rising risks ... more

Fears grow of Russian interference in Central European media space

Two thirds of Central Europeans are concerned about Russian interference in their country’s media or public opinion, according to a new poll conducted by MEDIAN on behalf of the ... more

How Ukrainian grain wrecked the Polish grain market

The Polish grain market has been thrown into disarray by cheap Ukrainian grain that sent prices plummeting in April, causing Warsaw to impose a five-month ban, backed up by the European Commission. ... more

Dismiss