In February compared with the value of the previous month, the three-months moving average of the economic sentiment indicator (ESI) decreased again by 1 point to 98,0. Confidence decreased mainly in trade and somewhat less in industry, construction and services, while among customers it slightly increased. ESI is currently lagging behind the long-term average by 5,3 points and behind the result of the corresponding period last year by 0,4 points.

In February, the confidence indicator in industry decreased by 3 percentage points (p. p.) to the value -1,3. The development of the indicator was unfavourably influenced mainly by the decrease of the expected production over the next three months and the stock of goods. In February compared with the previous month, the confidence indicator in construction decreased by 2 points to -8,5 due to less favourable evaluations of the overall level of orders. The current result is exceeding the long-term average by 15,5 points. In February compared with January, confidence indicator in trade decreased by 5 percentage points to 24,0 as a result of negative evaluations of the current and the expected business activities. In February, the confidence indicator in services decreased again, its value (0) was lower by 2 p. p., compared with January. The indicator´s development was affected by the positive evaluations of the business situation while the demand over the past three months and the expected demand were evaluated negatively.

In February, the consumer mood in Slovakia slightly improved. Compared with the previous month, the seasonally adjusted indicator of consumer confidence increased by 0,8 points to -11,1. Respondents were more optimistic in three indicator components, mainly in the expectations of the general economic situation, somewhat less in the expectations of the financial situation of households and the unemployment development. On the contrary, they were more pessimistic in the saving perspectives. Compared with the situation last year, the respondents were more pessimistic by 6,1 points and the current result continues to exceed the long-term average.