Go to contents
Go to main menu
Go to engine search
top-cross links

In April 2012, the economic climate in services remains sluggish but improves slightly

Monthly business survey in services – April 2012

According to the business leaders surveyed in April 2012, the economic situation in services remains sluggish. After a slight improvement in March, the business climate synthetic indicator stabilizes in April, and is 93, still below its long-term average (100).

Business leaders consider that their activity slow down the last few months but their activity expectations for the months to come are recovering. They expect demand to be more favourable in the next few months.

They consider that their operating balance result decreased in the last few months and anticipate a further decline in the coming months.

The general outlook has risen by three points compared with March. The turning point indicator indicates a favourable economic situation.

Job creations remain scarce

In services except temporary employment agencies, business leaders consider that the number of job creations decreased in the last few months. According to business leaders, they should be more numerous in the coming months.

Business climate synthetic indicator

Business climate synthetic indicator

Turning point indicator

Turning point indicator

Note: close to 1 (respectively -1), this indicator indicates a favourable short-term economic situation (respectively unfavourable).

Economic outlook in the services sector
Balances of opinion, in %, seasonally adjusted
* Average of the balances of opinion since 1988
Source: Insee
Average* Jan. 12 Feb. 12 Mar. 12 Apr. 12
Business climate synthetic indicator 100 91 91 93 93
General outlook –5 –19 –18 –15 –12
Past activity 4 2 1 3 0
Expected activity 4 –7 –6 –5 –4
Expected demand 1 –13 –14 –11 –5
Business situation 0 –5 –6 –5 –7
Past selling prices –2 –3 –3 –1 –3
Expected selling prices –1 1 –3 0 –2
Past employment 4 8 7 1 –3
except temporary work agencies 1 –2 2 1 –4
Expected employment 3 –3 –5 –2 –3
except temporary work agencies 0 –3 –4 –3 –1
Investments
Past investments 2 2 4 1 3
Expected investments 2 3 1 3 –3
Operating balance result
Past result –1 0 –7
Expected result –1 –9 –10
Cash position –10 –11 –10
Difficulties of supply and demand
difficulties of supply and demand 9 10 12
difficulties of supply only 23 23 19
difficulties of demand only 29 30 30
Difficulties in recruitment 30 21 23

Informations Rapides

n° 103 - April 23, 2012

Monthly survey of services - April 2012

Next issue June 25, 2013 08:45 - June 2013

For further information

New

Since July 2009, display of the Informations Rapides has changed.