30 June 2017

2017- n° 177

In April 2017, services output fell back (−0.9%) Index of services production - April 2017

In April 2017, output fell back in services (−0.9% after +1.1% in March). However, it rose sharply over a year.

Over the last three months, services production increased by 0.4% compared to the previous three months.

It grew markedly in information and communication (+2.6%) and accomodation and food services activities (+2.3%). It rose also in household services (+1.5%), particularly in arts, entertainment and recreation (+2.9%). By contrast, it shrank sharply in real estate activities (−2.2%). It went down slightly in business support (−0,2%) and moderately in transportation and storage (−0.5%).

In services, output of the last three months rose sharply over a year (+3.4%), with an increase in all sectors.

It went up strongly in business support (+4.0%), be it in administrative and business service activities (+5.2%) or in specialised, scientific and technical activities (+2.9%). It grew strongly in information and communication (+4.5%), real estate activities (+3.0%), and food and beverage services activities (+4.3%). It increased more moderately in transportation and storage (+1.5%) and in household services (+1.3%).

In April 2017, output in business support activities fell back (−1.4% after +1.9% in March).

It shrank significantly in specialised, scientific and technical activities (−2.1% after +2.0%), particularly in architecture and engineering activities (−7.7%) and in legal and accounting activities (−4.1%). By contrast, it grew again in activities of head offices and management consultancy (+1.9%).

Output fell back more moderately in administrative and business support activities (−0.5% after +1.8%), notably in security and investigation (−3.9%) and in other administrative and business support activities (−0.9%). Conversely, it increased again in employment activities (+1.1%).

After three consecutive months of increase, output in information and communication fell back in April (−1.4% after +2.3%), weighed down by a significant backlash in computer programming, consultancy and related activities (−4.1% after +5.9%).

In April, output in transportation and storage fell back slightly (−0.4% after +0.5% in March). It shrank markedly in land transport (−3.4% after +1.1%).

In April, output decreased slightly in accomodation and food services (−0.3% after +0.4% in March). It declined in food and beverage service activities (−0.5%) but rose slightly in accomodation (+0.4%).

Output in household services recovered in April (+0.6%) after a marked fall in March (−2.9%). It bounced back in arts, entertainment and recreation (+2.7% after −5.1%) but dropped again in personal services (−1.6%).

The month-on-month variation rate of the index of services production in March 2017 has been revised upwards by 0.1 points, mainly due to raw series updating. Initially published at +1.0%, it has been stated at +1.1%.