Ljubljana, 26 May (STA) - Business sentiment in Slovenia improved slightly in May. The indicator was at -1.9 percentage points, up by 0.6 points compared to the month before. Compared to May 2024, the indicator remained unchanged, the Statistics Office said on Monday.
Compared to April, business sentiment in May was boosted by indicators among consumers (by 1.1 percentage points) and in retail trade (by 0.2 points). Confidence indicators for manufacturing and construction (each by 0.2 points) and services (by 0.1 points) had a negative impact.
Year-on-year, the business climate indicator remained flat in May as two indicators worsened while three improved. The indicators among consumers (by 0.8 percentage points) and in retail trade (by 0.7 points) brought down the overall sentiment, while higher confidence in manufacturing and services (both by 0.4 points) and construction (by 0.3 points) had a positive impact.
The Statistics Office separately published results of the April business trends survey, which showed confidence rising in retail trade in May, falling in construction and manufacturing, and remaining unchanged in services.
In manufacturing, the confidence indicator worsened by one percentage point both monthly and annually, and was eight percentage points below the long-term average.
In retail trade, the confidence indicator rose by four percentage points compared to April, but was seven points lower than in May last year and three points below the long-term average.
In construction, the confidence indicator was down four percentage points monthly and one point annually, but remained 13 points above the long-term average.
In services, the indicator was unchanged monthly but up one point annually and nine points above the long-term average. The labour hoarding indicator declined across all comparisons: by two points monthly, one point annually, and three points compared to the long-term average.
