Business Tendency and Consumer Surveys, Slovenia, December 2007

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Sentiment indicator up
In December 2007 the seasonally adjusted sentiment indicator rose by 2 percentage points compared to November 2007. Compared to December 2006 and the long-term average the sentiment indicator went down by 2 and up by 10 percentage points, respectively.

Manufacturing confidence indicator the same
In December 2007 the seasonally adjusted confidence indicator in manufacturing remained the same as in the previous month. Compared to December 2006 the indicator went down by 1 percentage point but was 11 percentage points above the long-term average. The observed indicators for appreciation of the situation deteriorated in comparison with the previous month, except for the assured production indicator. The expectations for the next three months are favourable, except for the expected prices indicator.
In December the production indicator reached the lowest value after May 2006.

Retail trade confidence indicator down
In December 2007 the seasonally adjusted retail trade confidence indicator decreased by 2 percentage points compared to November 2007. Compared to December 2006 the retail trade confidence indicator was up by 8 percentage points and 24 percentage points above the long-term average. Compared to the previous month, the observed indicators for appreciation of the situation mostly worsened, except for the volume of stocks, level of sales, and sales indicators. The expectations for the next three months are mostly unfavourable, except for the expected employment and expected selling prices indicators.
The most significant factor limiting the enterprises in retail trade was competition in their sector with 49%, followed by high costs of labour (37%) and low demand (22%). 11% of enterprises experienced no limits in their activity.

Construction confidence indicator up
In December 2007 the seasonally adjusted confidence indicator in construction increased by 6 percentage points compared to the previous month, due to the rise of the overall order-books indicator. Compared to December 2006 and the long-term average the construction confidence indicator was up by 4 and 24 percentage points, respectively. The observed indicators for appreciation of the situation improved in comparison with the previous month; only the employment indicator deteriorated. The expectations for the next three months are unchanged, only the order-books expectations are unfavourable.
In December 2007 the employment indicator reached the lowest value after April 2006.
The most important factor limiting building activity in construction was still for 48% of enterprises shortage of skilled labour, followed by competition in own sector (for 38% of enterprises) and high costs of labour (for 34% of enterprises). Another, not negligible factor (for 23% of enterprises) was also high costs of material. 14% of enterprises experienced no limits in their activity.

Services confidence indicator up
In December 2007 the seasonally adjusted services confidence indicator increased by 4 percentage points compared to the previous month. Compared to December 2006 the services confidence indicator decreased by 4 percentage points, while compared to the long-term average it increased by 2 percentage points. All observed indicators for appreciation of the situation improved, with the exception of the business situation indicator, which remained the same as in the previous month. Also, the expectations for the next three months are favourable.
The most significant factor limiting the enterprises in services were financial constraints with 20%, followed by insufficient demand (18%) and shortage of labour force (16%). On the other hand, 40% of enterprises experienced no limits in their activity.

Consumer confidence indicator up
In December 2007 the seasonally adjusted value of the consumer confidence indicator increased by 3 percentage points compared to the previous month. The increase of the indicator was mainly due to more optimistic estimations of the general economic situation in the country over the next 12 months. Despite this increase the consumer confidence indicator is 3 percentage points below last year’s average.

• Sentiment indicator, Slovenia, December 2007, 59kB
• Business tendency survey in manufacturing, Slovenia, December 2007, 142kB
• Business tendency survey in retail trade, Slovenia, December 2007, 143kB
• Business tendency survey in construction, Slovenia, December 2007, 111kB
• Business tendency survey in services, Slovenia, December 2007, 97kB