Industrial sector confidence at 10-year high_x000d_
28.07.2004
Source: Dnevnik
Positive buzz from the industrial sector and the services industry added three points to the composite business climate indicator of the National Statistical Institute (NSI) in July. The polled managers supported a rosy outlook for the next six months, lifting the business morale gauge for the industrial sector by 3.3 point over June to its highest value since 1994. The managers were also positive on the stream of orders from abroad. Excess capacity is a slight worry with production facilities working at 61% during the past three months. Sale prices are seen up.
The climate indicator for the services industry jumped 11.1 points over June. The managers expect upward pricing pressures in the next three months and no hiring binges. The business morale index for the retail sector fell on a downbeat outlook for the next six months. The mood of construction managers is unchanged from June, NSI said. Going forward, the consensus is for steady production activity and higher sale prices.