In August, the confidence indicator in industry increased by 3 percentage points (p.p.) to -8. The development of the indicator was favourably influenced mainly by the increase of the expected production over the next three months and by the increase of orders.

In August, the industrial production trend increased by 20 p.p to 2, compared with July. An increase was recorded mainly in manufacture of other non-metallic products, electrical equipment and textiles and apparel. On the contrary, a decrease of the industrial production was reported mainly by respondents in manufacture of transport equipment, machinery and equipment n.e.c. and computer, electronic and optical products. The business balance of the aggregate orders increased by 5 p.p. to -12. An increase of orders (weighted by production) was recorded mainly in manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products, electrical equipment and in other manufacture, repair and installations. A decrease of orders was recorded mainly in other manufacture, repair and installations and in manufacture of machinery and equipment n.e.c. and in the chemical industry. The majority of respondents (85 %) consider the current orders to be sufficient. Compared with July, the balance of foreign orders increased by 4 p.p. to -15. An increase of foreign orders was reported mainly in manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products, electrical equipment and in other manufacture, repair and installations. On the contrary, there was a decrease of foreign orders mainly in manufacture of textiles and apparel, in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry. 83 % of respondents considered the current level of foreign orders to be sufficient. In August, the balance of the finished goods stock increased by 3 p.p. to 2. The increase of the goods stock is expected mainly by respondents in other manufacture, repair and installations, in manufacture of wood and paper products, textiles and apparel. A decrease of the stock is indicated mainly by respondents in manufacture of food and other non-metallic products. The majority of respondents (97 %) consider the state of the stock to be sufficient. Compared with the previous month, the balance of the industrial production over the next three months, increased by 7 p.p. to -10. An increase of the production is expected mainly in manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products, transport equipment and machinery and equipment n.e.c. by size groups in enterprises employing 1000 and more people and by regions, in Žilina and Banská Bystrica.  A decrease of the production is assumed mainly in manufacture of wood and paper products and food. In August, the balance of the expected development of industrial products prices, decreased by 1 p.p. to -9. A price decrease is assumed mainly in pharmaceutical products and in other manufacture, repair and installations. An increase of prices is expected mainly in the chemical industry and in manufacture of wood and paper products. In August compared with July, the balance of the employment increased by 10 p.p. to -16. An increase in the number of employees is assumed mainly in manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products, transport equipment, basic metal and fabricated metal products and electrical equipment, by size groups in enterprises employing 1000 and more people and by regions in Bratislava and Trnava. On the contrary, a decrease of employment is expected mainly in manufacture of food and wood and paper products, by regions only in Prešov. 68 % of respondents expect a stabilization of employment.