23 February 2017

2017- n° 48

In February 2017, the business climate remains favourable in services Monthly survey of services - February 2017

According to business managers surveyed in February 2017, the business climate in services remains favourable. The business climate composite indicator is stable and stands at 103, above its long-term average (100). Because of late businesses' answers that have been taken into account, the indicator in January has been revised upward by one point.

The turning point indicator has returned into the area indicating a favourable short-term outlook.

The balance on general outlook, which relates the assessment of business leaders over their whole sector, is virtually stable, clearly above its long-term average. The balances of opinion on past and expected activity and on expected demand are steady or almost steady. Among them, only the balance on expected activity stays slightly below its long-term average.

The balances on past and expected employment are unchanged and remain clearly above their long-term average. However, the balances on employment for service businesses except temporary work agencies have decreased slightly.

The balance on past selling prices is virtually stable, below its long-term average. Nevertheless, more business leaders than last month plan increase their selling prices in the coming months. The corresponding balance has increased and returned to its long-term average.

The balance on past investments is almost steady, whereas that on expected investments has edged down. Both balances remain above their long-term average.

In most subsectors, the business climate is virtually stable. However, it has declined in real estate activities, whereas it has improved in professional, scientific and technical activities.

In road transport, the business climate is practically stable. At 108, it stands clearly above its long-term average. The balances on activity have improved. However, the expectations on demand have decreased. All balances remain clearly above their long-term average.

In accommodation and food services, the business climate has improved slightly, returning to its long-term average. The balances on activity have decreased and come back slightly below their long-term average, but the balances on expected demand and on general outlook have gone up.

In information and communication, the business climate remains at its long-term average (100). The decrease of the balances on past activity and employment is offset by the increase of the balances on expected activity and employment.

In real estate activities, the business climate has gone down by three points, sliding slightly below its long-term average (99). The balances on expected activity, demand and employment have decreased.

The business climate in professional, scientific and technical activities has gone up by 2 points. At 104, it stands above its long-term average. The balance on general outlook has improved, exceeding more its long-term average.

In administrative and support service activities, the business climate is unchanged. At 106, it stands clearly above its long-term average. The balances on past activity and employment have improved. All balances are much higher than their long-term average, particularly those on employment.