The seasonally adjusted confidence index decreased by 1.4% in the services sector and 1.3% in the construction sector, while increased 0.4% in the retail trade sector in February compared to January.

Services confidence index realized as 100.4

The seasonally adjusted confidence index which was 101.9 for services in January decreased by 1.4% in February to 100.4. In the services sector compared to the previous month, the business situation over the past three months sub-index decreased by 1.1% to 101.8. Demand-turnover over the past three months sub-index remained at the same level 98.0 and demand-turnover expectation over next three months sub-index decreased by 3.1% to 101.4.

Retail trade confidence index realized as 108.9

The seasonally adjusted retail trade confidence index increased by 0.4% in February to 108.9. In the retail trade sector compared to the previous month, business activity-sales over the past three months sub-index increased by 2.8% to 122.2. The current volume of stock sub-index increased by 2.8% to 92.6 and business activity-sales expectation over the next three months sub-index decreased by 4.0% to 112.0.

Construction confidence index realized as 83.1

The seasonally adjusted construction confidence index which was 84.2 in January decreased by 1.3% in February to 83.1. In the construction sector compared to the previous month, the current overall order books sub-index became 76.9 by increasing 1.6%. Total employment expectation over the next three months sub-index decreased by 3.6% to 89.3.

In the construction sector, 51.1% of the enterprises indicated at least one factor limiting their activities while 48.9% of the enterprises indicated none in February. Among the main factors limiting activities in the construction sector; "financial constraints" which was 26.3% in January realized the same in February, "insufficient demand" which was 22.4% in January realized as 25.7% in February, and "other factors" which was 30.0% in January realized as 27.2% in February. (ILKHA)