Report of Confidence Indicators (March 2013) from the Confederation of Finnish Industries EK.

The Confederation of Finnish Industries released the report of Confidence Indicators for March, 2013.

Finnish manufacturing confidence stayed unchanged in March. However, the confidence indicator is clearly below its long-term average. The latest indicator figure is -9 (revised figure -9 in February, too). Its long-term average is +3. Production growth is expected to be weak in the coming months. Order books are well below their normal levels. Stocks of final goods have decreased somewhat but they are still slightly above average.

Construction confidence recovered somewhat but is still rather weak. The confidence indicator scored -22 points (revised figure -27 in February). Confidence is well below its long-term average (-6). Order books are smaller than average and personnel is expected to decrease during the next few months.

Service sector confidence indicator climbed to +4 points in March from 0 points in February. Despite the increase, confidence is rather weak as its long-term average is +15. Sales growth gained a little speed in March but only moderate growth figures are forecast for the next few months. The overall business situation has deteriorated further in the first quarter.

Finnish retail trade confidence indicator scored -7 points in March, down from -3 in February. The long-term average is 0 points. Sales growth became negative and expectations for the next quarter are also fairly weak.

Source:
Confederation of Finnish Industries EK