The seasonally adjusted confidence index which was 105.5 for services in March decreased by 2.0% in April to 103.3. In the services sector compared to the previous month, the business situation over the past three months sub-index increased by 0.2% to 103.2.

Demand-turnover over the past three months sub-index increased by 1.4% to 103.2 and demand-turnover expectation over the next three months sub-index decreased by 7.2% to 103.6.

Retail trade confidence index realized as 103.1

The seasonally adjusted retail trade confidence index decreased by 5.6% in April to 103.1. In the retail trade sector compared to the previous month, business activity-sales over the past three months sub-index decreased by 0.4% to 116.8. The current volume of stock sub-index decreased by 6.8% to 87.7 and business activity-sales expectation over the next three months sub-index decreased by 9.9% to 104.7.

Construction confidence index realized as 77.3

The seasonally adjusted construction confidence index which was 79.8 in March decreased by 3.1% in April to 77.3. In the construction sector compared to the previous month, the current overall order books sub-index became 74.9 by decreasing 1.8%. Total employment expectation over the next three months sub-index decreased by 4.3% to 79.7.

In the construction sector, 50.5% of the enterprises indicated at least one factor limiting their activities while 49.5% of the enterprises indicated none in April. Among the main factors limiting activities in the construction sector; "financial constraints" which was 24.5% in March realized 28.7% in April, "insufficient demand" which was 23.2% in March realized as 25.5% in April, and "other factors" which was 24.3% in March realized as 23.9% in April. (ILKHA)