Informations Rapides · 23 September 2021 · n° 243

In September 2021, the business climate has improved slightly in services Monthly survey of services - September 2021

According to the business managers surveyed in September 2021, the business climate has improved slightly in services. At 110, the business climate indicator that synthetizes it has regained one point after two months of slight decline and remains well above its long-term average (100).

In September 2021, the business leaders' expectations are more optimistic than in the previous month. The balances of opinion on the general outlook for the sector activity and on the expected activity for the next three months have recovered slightly; the one on expected demand for the next three months has also rebounded. These three balances stand thus well above their respective averages and have virtually returned to their July 2021 levels.

The balance of opinion on activity over the past three months is virtually stable above its average.

The balance of opinion on the recent change in selling prices is also virtually stable, above its average level. The one on the expected change in selling prices has decreased slightly but remains also above its average.

About employment, the balance of opinion on the change in workforce size over the last three months has decreased sharply and has returned below its average level. However, the balance on expected workforce size has increased and has further exceeded its average.

The balance of opinion on investment over the past three months is stable and therefore remains slightly below its average, whereas the one on expected investment is virtually stable and slightly above its average.

In September 2021, the business climate has improved in most service activities, but has deteriorated in accommodation and food services and in real estate activities.

In road freight transport, the business climate has improved again, more strongly than in August, and has further exceeded its average. It has recovered its June level. Indeed, the forward-looking balances of this sub-sector have increased strongly.

In professional, scientific and technical activities and in administrative and support services, the business climate has improved sharply and stands well above its average. Indeed, the balances on expected demand have increased sharply in these two sub-sectors.

In information-communication, the business climate has improved slightly again. It therefore remains above its average.

Conversely, in accommodation and food services, the business climate has deteriorated for the second month in a row. Indeed, the balances on expected demand and on the general outlook have decreased markedly. Nevertheless, the climate remains well above its long-term average. In real estate activities, the business climate indicator has decreased sharply but remains also well above its average level.

The business climate indicator of August 2021 has been revised upwards by one point. This revision is mainly due to the inclusion of late responses from businesses.