Business confidence remains positive in August

The general business climate is a monthly survey of firms in various sectors. A result greater than zero means that more firms in the sector have a positive view of the current and expected economic situation than those who have a negative view.

In manufacturing, 15.9 percent of surveyed firms had a positive view in August, while 11.2 percent had a negative view, giving a result of plus 4.7. This represents an increase on July’s plus 3.1.

However firms in the construction sector were pessimistic, with a result of minus 3.3. This is a deterioration from July, when the sector had an indicator of minus 1.9.

Both the wholesale trade and the retail trade sectors had positive indicators in August, which saw little change compared to July.

Firms in the transport and storage sector were significantly more optimistic about the business climate than in July, with an indicator of plus 8.2 and plus 5.9 for August and July respectively.

By contrast firms in accommodation and catering reported a worse business climate in August than in July, with the indicator falling from plus 9.6 in July to plus 5 this month. (sl/rg)

Source: PAP