KiviNovice

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