After reaching the trough in October (-5.3), the economic sentiment index (ESI) strengthened in Slovenia for the second month in a row in December, to a value of 0.8. Its growth was influenced by the improvement of all indicators. In two months, retail trade strengthened by 10 points, consumer confidence by 7, confidence in manufacturing and service activities by 6 points (their impact was greatest due to the composition of the economic climate indicator) and in construction by 5 points. A slightly closer look at the individual questions within five questionnaires reveals that in manufacturing, the expected production (+11) and exports (+8) increased again, while it is positive that stocks of finished products decreased (-3). Order book shrunk by 1 month (from 5 to 4), which means that the company's production will become less stable. In services, assessment of employment growth (+8), assessment of the business situation (+5) and expected demand (+5) improved. December’s confidence indicator was significantly higher than the long-term average in retail trade (+12), construction (+34) and services (+10). In manufacturing, it was lower by 3, and consumer confidence was lower by 9 points. Source: Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia

In the Q3, the real growth of Slovenian GDP decreased to 3.4% year on year (9.7% in the first and 8.3% in the second). Lower year on year growth was expected, but the drop compared to the previous quarter (seasonally and calendar adjusted) is surprising (-1.4%) given our estimate (+0.2%) and first estimate of GDP growth at EU-27 level (+0.2%). According to data available from Eurostat, the drop in Slovenia was the largest among the 14 countries for which data are available, while the median change was +0.25%. At first glance, the data was surprising also due to the fact that many business indicators were higher in the Q3 compared to the Q2 (industrial production, construction works, revenues from services, retail sales, etc.). During this period, household consumption increased by 1.2%, government consumption remained unchanged, and investments in fixed assets increased by 2.6% (of which the growth was particularly high in other buildings and facilities: +3.0 %). The growth of exports of goods and services strengthened from 2.6% in the previous quarter to 3.6%, and imports from 1.4 to 1.8%. The key and only component of GDP that contributed to the drop in GDP at the expenditure method was inventories, which decreased from EUR 874 to EUR 116 million. Inventories are a volatile item and fluctuated between EUR 50 and 400 m in the previous four quarters. This time, these inventories were associated with a drop in value added in trade (-11%), which can only be the result of a reduction in stocks in this sector, most likely in retail of crude oil derivatives, motor vehicles or distribution. According to the GDP production method, (real) value added in manufacturing increased by 1% q-o-q (+1.2% previously), in construction by 3.3%, in ICT activities by 2.3% and in other service activities by 1%. Value added dropped slightly only in professional, scientific and technical activities (-0.7%) among major sectors. Source: Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia

The rating agency Fitch followed the recent decision of the rating agency Moody's and confirmed Slovenia's sovereign debt rating A with a stable outlook. At the same time, it cited high development indicators, improvement of external financing conditions and a credible institutional environment as strong pillars. The public debt is high considering the small size of the economy, and the implementation of structural reforms is slow. They expressed relatively high optimism for growth in 2023, as real GDP is expected to strengthen by 1.3%, which is among the higher estimates. At the same time, the public finance deficit is expected to amount to 4.1% of GDP next year, which is more than expected this year (3.6%), but less than planned in the draft budget (5%). Until now, such an opinion has been the exception rather than the rule on the part of credit agencies. Source: Fitch Ratings

Current account showed a surplus of EUR 70 m in August, EUR 106 m less than in August of the previous year. Only services added to a surplus (EUR 377 m), while trade in goods (-EUR 151 m) and primary and secondary incomes achieved a deficit (-EUR 155 m). In the first eight months, the current account deficit amounted to EUR 213 m, while in the same period in 2021 there was a surplus of EUR 1.6 bn. The deterioration of the current account balance was most affected by trade in goods, with a EUR 2.6 billion lower balance (the deficit in trade in goods amounted to EUR 1.6 bn in 2022, while in the same period in 2021 there was a surplus in the amount of EUR 1 bn; exports y-o-y increased by 24%, and imports by 37%). Exports to EU member states accounted for 77% of total exports in 2022 and, compared to the same period of the previous year, increased by 25% or EUR 4.3 bn. Exports to Croatia and Italy increased the most (a total increase of 2.1 bn), followed by exports to Germany and Austria; all four countries together contributed three quarters of the increase in exports to the EU. Imports from EU member states accounted for three quarters of total imports and, compared to the same period in 2021, increased by 31.6% or EUR 5.3 bn. Imports increased the most from the same countries as on the export side, with all four countries together accounting for 62% of all the increase in imports from the EU. Imports from Austria and Italy stood out, with a total increase of 2 bn.

Cene življenjskih potrebščin v Sloveniji so bile v septembru za 0,9 % nižje kot mesec prej, kar je bilo pozitivno presenečenje, saj smo pričakovali sicer skromno, 0,2-odstotno rast cen. K mesečni deflaciji je največ (-1,1 o. t.) prispevala pocenitev cen električne energije (za 24,5 %), ki je bila posledica začetka implementacije regulacije cen. Navedenega nismo mogli predvideti, ker ni bilo jasno, kakšna je bila predhodna povprečna cena za gospodinjstva, ki je veljala še v mesecu avgustu. Pocenitve počitniških paketov (-14,4 %) so dodale 0,6 o. t. k deflaciji, proizvodov in storitev za osebna vozila (-2,6 %) pa 0,3 o. t. Po 0,1 o. t. vpliva so imele nižje cene toplotne energije (-7 %) in nastanitvenih storitev (-5,6 %).

The economic sentiment index (ESI) dropped by 4.5 p.p. m-o-m in September, which was a bigger drop than expected (our estimate: -0.7 p.p.) and thus fell below the long-term average. Decrease of indicator was influenced by all five components: the most by drop in manufacturing confidence (2.5 p.p. contribution to the decrease), followed by services (-1.3 p.p.). Retail trade sentiment had a slightly smaller impact (-0.3 p.p.), as well as consumer sentiment (-0.3 p.p.) and sentiment in construction (-0.2 p.p.). Excluding the pandemic period, the last time the indicator was this low was in April 14. Confidence in manufacturing fell by 7 p.p. m-o-m, in retail trade by 6 p.p., and in services by 5 p.p. In the construction, it fell by 3 p.p. and the consumer confidence decreased by 1 p.p. In services (15), retail trade (15) and construction (13), the indicator remained above the long-term average value, while the consumer confidence indicator (-40) was well below it and the lowest since June 12. In manufacturing (-8), the indicator slipped considerably below the long-term average in recent month.

In July, EU-27 recorded a EUR 42 bn deficit in goods trade with third countries (in June: EUR 34 bn and in July of the previous year EUR 16 bn surplus), which was mainly due to lower export and higher import growth, as a consequence of higher price growth of energy products (especially fossil fuels). Exports to markets outside the EU amounted to EUR 212 bn (EUR 225 bn in June), which was only 13% more than in July last year (June’ annual growth was 20%). Imports of goods, on the other hand, were still higher by half (increase from EUR 172 to EUR 254 bn). The value of trade within EU-27 amounted to EUR 342 bn, which was 22% more y-o-y. This data shows that the growth of imports remained high in nominal terms (mainly due to the rise in prices, with a more moderate increase in imported quantities), while the growth of exports began to slow down. Source: Eurostat

Global composite PMI fell below 50 in August (to 49.3; 50.8 in July), suggesting a slight contraction in the global economy, for the first time since June 2020. Volume of new orders contracted, world trade decreased, and the amount of excess capacity increased, which should at least alleviate price pressures. Five out of six sectors of the private economy registered declines (business services, consumer goods, consumer services, intermediate production and production of capital goods). Only the financial sector recorded slight growth. Declines were mainly present in developed economies (USA, Japan, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom), namely in both manufacturing and services. Economic activity picked up in India, Brazil and China. In world's 14 largest economies, employment increased, with the exceptions being China and Russia, where it declined. Services indicator fell to 49.2 in August, with services growing in China, the United Kingdom, India, Brazil, France, Italy, Spain, Australia, Kazakhstan, and Ireland. In USA, Japan, Germany and Russia, the volume of services provided decreased. Source: JP Morgan, S&P Global

Manufacturing PMI remained flat at 49.7, while the current output index fell from 46.5 to 46.3, which is expected to reflect a fall in industrial production in August, following a decline already in July. Price pressures in manufacturing are easing, which is not surprising given the drop in commodity prices. Among the larger economies in the euro zone, industrial production fell mainly in Germany and France, while it probably increased in other economies. Output fell mainly in the basic materials sectors and the automotive sector, where semiconductor shortages continue to limit production growth (but less sales as manufacturers focus on premium electric vehicles). Nevertheless, it is clear that the higher prices of electricity, natural gas and the shortage of semiconductors lead to greater imports of products from non-European countries, where the prices of energy products are lower, and the availability of semiconductors is better (Korean vehicle manufacturers).

Industrial production increased by 1.7% m-o-m in June, according to original data (+3.1% y-o-y), which was mainly due to the growth of in manufacturing (+2% m-o-m; +6% y-o-y). As it is usual for industrial production to increase in June compared to May, changes based on seasonally adjusted data were different. Thus, IP fell by 0.2% m-o-m, of which by 0.6% in manufacturing activities (92% of total IP). For the second consecutive month, drop was high in mining (7% in May as well as in June).

June data on trade of goods was mainly due to rising prices and higher turnover of trade goods that were not manufactured in Slovenia, as well as higher turnover (imports and exports) of energy products. June’s exports of goods (EUR 5.3 billion; more than EUR 1 billion above our estimate) were 57% higher y-o-y, while imports (EUR 4.8 billion) were 40% higher. Trade balance was positive in June. It amounted to EUR 0.5 billion, while a deficit was noted in all the previous five months of the year. This was due to higher exports of pharmaceutical products in Slovenia (part of them were stocked in Slovenia for some months), which influenced increased imports in the previous months. Exports of goods in the H1 were almost a third higher y-o-y (it amounted to EUR 25.5 billion), while imports increased by almost half (to EUR 27.7 billion). The deficit in goods trade in this period amounted to EUR 2.2 billion, and the export-import coverage was 92.0%.

US GDP shrank by 0.9% on an annualized rate in Q2 (this is not comparable to the year-over-year change as we know it in Europe), while it was down 1.6% in Q1. The drop was the result of reduced inventories (mainly at general department stores and motor vehicle dealers), investment in housing construction, lower federal and state consumption (lower needs due to the end of pandemic). Lower stocks had an impact of as much as 2 p.p. on lower GDP (than it would otherwise be), and housing investments for 0.7 p.p. in addition. Analysts had expected growth of 0.4% of GDP. On the other hand, household consumption increased, as did exports, which are actually key components of quality economic growth.

The economic climate index worsened as expected in July (it fell by 1.7 index point to -1.1) and is now slightly below the long-term average, which reflects the slowdown of economic dynamics, and above all negative expectations of consumers and partly of manufacturing sector regarding business conditions in the coming months. The common denominator of these challenges is the high prices of energy products and raw materials, which reduce the disposable income of households. In manufacturing, the added concern is greater due to the danger of reductions in natural gas flows.

Slovenia’s industrial production increased by 0.8% in May (as in the euro area), which was more than our estimate (+0.2%) and faster than in April (+0.4%). Although this data is less reliable, it nevertheless shows that solid data (data showing revenues, production) in the first half of the year has not deteriorated significantly. Production in manufacturing increased by only 0.2%. Sector of electricity, gas and steam supply contributed the most to the monthly growth, as it increased production by 5.1%. In mining, production fell by 7.7%, which mainly reflects volatile changes in the amount of mined lignite at Premogovnik Velenje. On a yearly basis, industrial production in the first five months was higher by 3.5%, of which in mining by 23% and in manufacturing by 5.1%. In the supply of electricity, gas and steam, it was lower by one-sixth, which reflects poor hydrology and thus low level of electricity production in hydro power plants.

J.P. Morgan Global Composite rose as expected in June (from 51.3 in May to 53.5), largely driven by an increase in manufacturing in China as the bulk of containment measures were lifted in Shanghai. PMI ex. China dropped from 53.9 to 53.1. World production thus increased in June after the decline in April and May. Growth in the service sector was the highest in the last four months. Growth was faster in business services and consumer goods manufacturing, while it moderated in consumer services. In Brazil, India and China, the value of the indicator was the highest (among the 14 large world economies), while its value strengthened the most in Japan, the United Kingdom and Brazil. The Chinese and Russian economies are recovering, while growth has slowed in all other economies. New orders rose for the slowest time since July 2020, while new export orders contracted for the fourth consecutive month. Source: S&P Global

Exports and imports of services increased by about a third y-o-y in the first four months of 2022. Among the most important groups of services, exports of travel (+EUR 390 m), transport (+EUR 205 m), other business services (+EUR 95 m; intellectual services) and telecommunications, computer and information services (+EUR 64 m) increased the most. Exports of construction services remained unchanged.

First estimates on the performance of private sector in the Q1 2022 showed that companies were not able to fully transfer higher prices of raw materials and energy into final prices, as gross margin decreased by 3 percentage points q-o-q to 22% (measured as share of value added in sales). It was at this level in 2018. In mining (-8 p. p.), energy (-10 p. p.) and in service activities (finance, professional, scientific and technical activities, healthcare), the declines were the largest. In manufacturing and trade, two sectors that otherwise generate the highest nominal added value and employ the most people, the gross margin fell by 1 p. p. Accounting for this fact it may sound odd how Slovenia’s was able to record positive GDP growth in the Q1 2022. This can be explained by high sales growth, which stems from price growth, which rose nominally much more than value added. But despite that real value added increased, albeit at lower pace. Despite the decline in gross margin, the share of labor costs in value added fell further (to 57% from 58% in the previous quarter), which means that labor costs grew more slowly than value added. The mentioned data does not provide other, quantitatively useful data. Source: Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia

The dynamics of trade in goods remained at a high level in April as well. Contrary to expectations, it even intensified. April exports of goods (EUR 4.2 billion; our estimate: EUR 3.9 billion) were almost EUR 1 billion higher than in the same month last year, while imports (EUR 4.7 billion) were EUR 1.4 billion higher. Year-on-year, exports of goods grew by 29% (24% in the first four months) and imports by 43% (48% in the first four months). The trade balance (difference between exports and imports of goods) remained negative in April (-EUR 570 million) and increased to EUR 2.2 billion in the first four months of the current year, which is extremely high relative to GDP (12% of GDP). In the coming months, we expect a slowdown in private consumption growth, as well as the effect of higher exports due to higher prices of industrial products, so we estimate that the monthly deficit will decrease dynamically. Source: Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia

As expected, the economic climate in Slovenia decreased slightly in May (-1.4 percentage points compared to April, our estimate: -1.5 p.p.). Change was negatively affected by fall in in manufacturing confidence (-0.9 p.p.) and consumer sentiment (-0.7 p.p.). The effects of services and construction indicators were positive (each contributed +0.2 p.p.). The confidence indicator in retail trade had no effect. Compared to May 2021, the value of the economic climate indicator was lower by 2.8 p.p. Compared to the long-term average, optimism was highest in construction (+36 p.p.), retail trade (+16 p.p.) and services (+8 p.p.). In manufacturing it remained higher, but only by 2 p.p.

Slovenia's GDP in the Q1 2022 was 0.8% higher in real terms than in the previous quarter (seasonally and calendar adjusted), which is a significant slowdown compared to the growth we have been accustomed to since the beginning of 2021. Nevertheless, growth can be described as extremely high, as it followed a 5.3% quarterly growth in the Q4 2021, and such growth is usually followed by a decline. Growth of 0.8% was also higher than in the EU-27 (+0.4%) and four times higher than our estimate (+0.2%). Quarterly growth was high in many European countries (Romania: + 5.2%, Portugal: + 2.6%, Austria: + 2.5%, Poland: + 2.4%, Latvia: + 2.1%) and that shows the March invasion of Ukraine has not yet had a major economic impact. The key reason was the strong growth in the European service sector.

April’s consumer prices (CPI) increased by 2.6% in one month, which was much higher than we expected (+0.9%). Higher prices of food (by 2.9%) and holiday packages (by 19.2%) contributed the most to rising monthly inflation, 0.5 percentage points each. In the group of food, prices of oil and fats increased the most (by 7%), followed by meat (by 6.3%), vegetables (by 5.2%) and bread and cereal products (by 2.9%). Electricity was also more expensive than in the previous month (by 11.6%), contributing 0.3 percentage points to inflation. Rising prices of clothing and footwear (by 3.8%) increased headline inflation by additional 0.3 percentage points. 0.2 percentage points were added by more expensive liquid fuels (by 20.4%).

The economic sentiment indicator in Slovenia stood at 4.3 percentage points in April and was 2.7 percentage points (p.p.) higher than in the previous month (1.6). Indicator was higher due to higher value of confidence indicators in services (by 1.3 p.p.), consumer sentiments (by 1.1 p.p.) and retail trade (by 0.6 p.p.). The impact of confidence indicators in manufacturing and construction was slightly negative (by 0.1 and 0.2 p.p., respectively). Source: Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia.

The ZEW indicator measures the sentiment of CFOs in the real economy. In the euro area, the April assessment of the current economic situation in the euro area fell again (-6.6 points), in Germany even more, by 9.4. It also declined in the US (-3.8), but US CFOs were still much more optimistic than others. In China, too, the situation has deteriorated sharply (-14.6 points), mainly due to a higher share of CFOs who assessed the situation as worse.

The composite PMI in the euro area (the survey was conducted between 11 and 28 March) fell slightly in March (from 55.5 to 54.9). The service part of the economy, on the other hand, still experienced increased demand, as the services PMI remained high (slight increase from 55.5 to 55.6). In the European services sector, growth was highest in France (up from 55.5 to 57.4) and in Germany (up from 55.8 to 56.1), while in Italy it fell from 52.8 to 52.1.

March consumer prices (CPI) in Slovenia rose by 5.4% on annual level, which is an extremely high decline after the February growth (6.9%) and stems from a temporary, 3-month reduction in excise duties on electricity energy and cap on retail fuel as well as due to the high effect of the base (in March 2021, prices were already much higher than in February 2021, which means the effect of a growing base over time contributed to reduced growth as well). It is interesting to note that the March sub indicator within consumer confidence showed that this month a record share of households estimated that price growth will be even higher in the future. We can say that they were wrong, probably at least for the months of March, April and May 2022.

The composite PMI index in the euro area decreased slightly in March (the survey was conducted between 11 and 22 March) (from 55.4 to 54.5), with a decline in the service indicator (decreases from 55.5 to 54.8) lower than in manufacturing (down from 58.2 to 57). The composite indicator fell slightly from the February highest value in the last five years, which was the result of the withdrawal of containment measures across Europe. However, index value was the second highest since November 2021 and well above the long-term average. Service sectors saw growth in demand due to higher consumption of their services, and the war in Ukraine and sanctions weakened the outlook for demand for goods.

The OECD estimates that global economic growth is expected to be reduced by 1 percentage point in 2022 due to uncertainties related to the war in Ukraine, while average inflation is expected to be an additional 2.5 percentage points higher, mainly as a result of rising energy and raw materials prices and a strong dollar. In the euro area, economic growth is expected to be 1.4 percentage points lower and inflation 2 percentage points higher. The direct economic importance of Russia and Ukraine is small in the global economy (2% of world GDP), and financial ties with other countries are small, which means limited risk. FDI of foreign companies in Russia and Russian companies abroad represent only 1 to 1.5% of global FDI.

In January, industrial production remained almost unchanged to December (seasonally adjusted) and was higher only by 0.1%. Quite surprising, growth was highest in electricity, gas and steam supply (+18%). It decreased by 0.9% in manufacturing (a modest growth of 0.5% was expected according to our view) and in mining and quarrying by 0.6%. Most of the industrial production in Slovenia is represented by manufacturing (90 %), where revenues nevertheless increased by 3.1% (despite drop in industrial production). The decline in production in manufacturing was largely influenced by the decline in production in durable consumer goods (-14.7%), where we estimate that it due to falling production of pharmaceuticals. In production of investment goods (machinery and equipment, semi-finished products), production grew by 0.9% but revenues fell by 5.3%. This was also due to slightly higher inventory growth (+3%).

The economic climate in Slovenia improved as expected in February 2022, mainly due to the predominant removal of restrictions that negatively affected some service activities (tourism, travel, sports, culture). It was 1.2 percentage points higher on a monthly basis (we expected an increase of 0.3 percentage points) and 10.1 percentage points higher on an annual basis. The monthly change in the sentiment indicator was positively influenced by higher values of consumer confidence indicators (by 0.6 percentage points), in services (by 0.5 percentage points) and in manufacturing (by 0.2 percentage points). The impact of confidence indicators in retail trade and construction was negative, but the impact was small (0.1 percentage point each).

Consumer confidence indicator was 3 percentage points higher on a monthly basis in February 2022, which was quite in line with our expectations (growth of 2 points). The rise in the confidence indicator was due to more optimistic consumer expectations regarding the economic situation in the country (by 8 percentage points) and the financial situation in households (by 7 percentage points). In our opinion, this is due to expectations of the withdrawal of the remaining containment measures as well as expectations of continuing wage growth.

The total value of industrial production was higher for the fifth month in a row. In December 2021 it was higher by 1.1% compared to November. It was higher in manufacturing and mining (by 1.1% and 16.0%, respectively) and lower in electricity, gas and steam supply sector, mainly due to poorer hydrology (by 2.4%). Growth surprised us, especially after the already strong growth in November (+ 2.8% compared to October, based on seasonally adjusted data) and compared to the usual situation in this month in the last few years. We expected a moderate, 0.3% drop. Compared to the level of industrial production in December 2020, it was higher by 11.9% and compared to December 2019 by 10.3%. Despite the growth of production in manufacturing (+1.1% compared to November), turnover in December decreased by 0.5%, which is related to the higher growth in stocks of finished products.

In January 2022, consumer price growth in the euro area (HICP methodology) increased more than expected (median change on Reuters: +4.4% compared to January 2021), that is by 5.1% (in December prices were up by 5% year on year). Our forecast was among the most accurate among the 41 institutions (5.2%), despite being the highest. The central assessment did not record such a large error for a long time (institutions submitted forecasts until 26 January 2022), which is due to significant differences in the models of transferring raw material and energy prices to final prices of goods and services. In January 2022, year-on-year price growth was highest in Lithuania (+12.2%), Estonia (+11.7%), Slovakia (+8.5%) and Belgium (+8.5%).

The economic climate in Slovenia improved slightly in January 2022 (from 5.1 to 5.7), which was slightly less than we expected (growth by 1 index point) but on the basis of other confidence indicators (which are part of the economic climate) as we thought. Confidence in services (by 0.5 percentage points) and retail trade (by 0.1 percentage points) contributed to the increase in the value of the indicator on a monthly basis. Indicators of confidence in manufacturing, construction (we expected the growth of these two) and among consumers had no impact on the change.

After the November’s (USD 80.8) and December’s (USD 74.3) fall in oil prices, it became clear that this was a temporary situation. The price of a barrel of Brent oil has risen above USD 88 per barrel, to the highest value in seven years, which is close to our estimate for the average of the year (USD 85), while the majority of institutions estimated a few months ago that the price will fall to around 70 to 75 USD. The acceleration in price was due to an attack on storage facilities in the United Arab Emirates. Geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe and concerns about sufficient spare capacity in OPEC countries have also contributed to the high rise. Rising oil prices will once again contribute to rising year-on-year inflation in all countries.

The total value of industrial production in Slovenia in November 2021 was 2.8% higher than in October 2021, which was significantly higher than we expected (no change compared to October). It was higher in manufacturing and mining (by 3.2% and 2.6%, respectively), and lower in energy (by 2.9%), mainly due to poorer rainfalls. Compared to November 2020, it was higher by 10.1% and compared to November 2019 by 8.7%.

According to first estimate, Slovenia exported goods worth EUR 3.7 billion in November 2021, which was almost a quarter more than in the same month last year. In the first 11 months of the past year, growth was 19% (relative growth was the same in EU countries as in other countries), but of course the nominal increase in exports on the EU market was correspondingly much higher. In the autumn forecast, we estimated that the growth of exports in 2021 will be 12%. In same month, EUR 4.17 billion worth of goods were imported (26% more).

December estimates of economic growth (GDP) for Slovenia (compiled by Consensus Economics) for 2021 strengthened despite the weak growth in the Q3 2021 (they rose for FY from 6.0% in November to 6.3% in December, which is also our central estimate). In the latest issue of the Slovenian Economic Mirror, IMAD estimated that economic growth in 2021 is likely to be 0.5 to 1 percentage point higher than its own autumn estimate (therefore between 6.6% and 7.1%). On the other hand, the average estimate of independent contributors for GDP growth for 2022 decreased slightly (from 3.9% to 3.8%, our estimate: +4.4%, December OECD estimate: +5.4%). Adjustments for inflation were not minor. The average inflation estimate (CPI) rose from 1.6% to 1.8% (for 2021) and from 2.1% to 2.4% (for 2022). In 2023, average inflation is expected to be 2.1% (previous month's estimate: 2.0%). Expectations in industrial production remained unchanged (growth at + 4.8%; our estimate: +3.8%).

Global sector PMI in November remained relatively high. 19 out of 21 sectors recorded business growth. Activity in finance (insurance companies, other financial institutions, excluding banks), transportation, industrial services and software development, banks and the production of technological equipment strengthened the most. The decline was present in the metals and minerals sector and in the automotive and auto parts industries, but the decline in the latter was relatively small. Price pressures continued to be high globally. They were particularly high for input prices in technological equipment, building materials, the chemical industry and the paper industry.

Confidence indicators in manufacturing (+2 percentage points compared to October) and retail trade (+7 percentage points) in Slovenia increased in November, while in construction (-1 percentage points) and services (-1 percentage points) they decreased. The economic sentiment index (ESI) was thus 0.8 percentage points higher in November than in October, which is higher than our expectations (we expected a drop of 1.7 percentage points). It was also higher than the long-term average (by 4.4 percentage points).

Compared to August, the value of construction works (in real terms) rose more than expected in September (+0.9% - expected vs. + 8.5% - preliminary reading). The uncertainty in the forecast of this aggregate is high (the monthly change is difficult to estimate reliably, subsequent revisions of the data are high).

The October value of the Global Composite Purchasing Managers Index (PMI), calculated by J.P. Morgan, increased slightly (from 53.3 to 54.5) as optimism in the service sectors of the global economy rose sharply (from 53.8 to 55.6), while the manufacturing PMI remained almost unchanged (it grew from 54.1 to 54.3). In the case of manufacturing PMI, the estimate of current production, as well as new orders, decreased slightly (meaning slightly lower growth than in previous months).

GDP in the EU-27 strengthened by 2.1% in the Q3 2021 and by 2.2% in the EA-19 compared to the previous quarter, which was above our expectations (2% for EA-19). According to provisional data for 11 economies, representing 91% of EU-27 GDP, growth accelerated in Spain (from 1% in the 2nd quarter to 2%) and France (from 1.3% to 3.0%), while it slowed in Germany (from 1.9% to 1.8%).

October’s reading of economic sentiment index (2.2 points) decreased by 2.5 percentage points compared to September what is more than we expected (a rather modest decrease from 4.7 to 4.0). The monthly change in the index was negatively affected mainly by the confidence indicator in manufacturing (by 2.0 percentage points), the consumer confidence indicator (by 0.7 percentage points) and the confidence indicator in retail trade (by 0.4 percentage points).

As expected, exports of goods fell from EUR 3.5 billion (July figure) to EUR 2.8 billion in August, which is mainly due to the seasonal effect (manufacturing company usually have collective holidays in August). Compared to August 2020, exports were a quarter higher.

In September 2021, the economic sentiment/climate was 1.8 percentage points lower on a monthly basis (our estimate: -0.9%), while it was still 8.5 percentage points higher on an annual basis. Its change was negatively affected by confidence indicators in manufacturing (by 1.3 percentage points), in retail trade (by 0.7 percentage points) and among consumers (by 0.2 percentage points). The effects of confidence indicators in services and construction were positive (each contributing 0.2 percentage points).

As expected, in the autumn forecast, IMAD (Institute of Macroeconomic Analysis and Development) significantly improved its estimate for Slovenia’s real GDP growth in 2021, from 4.6% to 6.1%, which is one of the historically largest positive adjustments in terms of growth prospects.

Compared to the previous month, July’s growth of industrial production was negative (-1.7% vs our estimate: -1.0%), while year-on-year (compared to July 2020) it was 8.9% higher. As expected, growth slowed down (it was 15% higher year on year in the 1H 2021) to 13% in the seven months of 2021. In mining, industrial production was down 2.6% year on year in the same period, in energy by 1.5%, but in manufacturing it was higher by about 15%.

November data on exports (1 week ahead of Eurostat release) from Slovenian Statistical Office shows that trends have improved in final months, what was expected based on improving sentiment in manufacturing as well as anecdotal data from main companies. Y-o-y change (Nov. 20/Nov. 19) was positive (+0.9%; +EUR 30 m), for both group of markets (exports to EU: +EUR 20 m and exports to non-EU: +EUR 10 m).

The global production index JP Morgan Global Manufacturing showed that the sentiment in global manufacturing at the end of July (55.4) was quite similar to that in June (55.5), or that the rise in infections in some major countries did not contribute to deteriorating expectations of future or current operations. All three main types of manufacturing recorded growth, the slowest the category of consumer goods products, where growth accelerated. The highest sentiment in manufacturing was in the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, USA, while on the other hand, China (50.3) and Japan (53) were well below the average. Asia’s emerging markets were particularly weak, with activity in Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia and Myanmar even declining.

GDP in the EU-27 increased by 1.9% in the Q2 21 compared to the Q1 21 (in the EA-19 by 2%, Reuters Consensus: +1.5%), which was more than we expected (1.4%). Among the 11 countries for which data are already available, the highest growth was recorded in Portugal (+ 4.9%, where, by the way, the fall in GDP was high in the Q1 21, at -3.2%) and in Austria (+4.3%). Growth was also high in Latvia (+3.7%) and Spain (+ 2.8%). GDP in Europe's largest economy - Germany, strengthened by 1.5% (after a 1.8% drop in the 1st quarter of 2021), growth in France was disappointing (0.9% after unchanged growth in the Q1 2021).