In April, the seasonally adjusted confidence indicator in services  increased more considerably again, its value (21) rose by 30 percentage points (p.p.) compared with March, while it was just above the long-term average by 1 point. The indicator´s development was affected mainly by more optimistic evaluations of all its three components.

Compared with the last month´s survey, the business situation over the past three months improved again, the business balance (of seasonally adjusted data) increased by 26 points and reached the level 2. An improvement of the business situation is felt by 18 % enterprises (by 6 p.p. more than in March), a deterioration was reported by 18 % of respondents (by 9 p.p. less), 64 % of enterprises (by 3 p.p. more) had a stable development. A greater satisfaction was expressed by respondents in information and communication, in the field of arts, entertainment and recreation, in administrative and support service activities, as well as in transportation and storage; a deteriorated situation, compared with March, was recorded only in accommodation and food service activities and in other service activities. Compared with the last month´s survey, the demand for the services over the past three months (15) increased by 36 points. An increase of the demand was felt almost in all groups, mostly though, in administrative and support services, in information and communication, in arts, entertainment and recreation; a lower demad was registered only in accommodation and in food services and other service activities. The expected development of the demand for services over the next three months was also evaluated more positively by respondents, the seasonally adjusted business balance (46) increased by 28 points.  A higher demand is expected mainly in accommodation and food service activities, in transportation and storage and in administrative and support service activities; a lower demand is assumed in information and communication, in arts, entertainment and recreation as well as in the field of real estates. 43 % of enterprises decreased the number of their employees over the past three months (by 5 p.p. less than in March), 13% of enterprises (by 1 p.p. more) reported an increase and 44 % of enterprises had a stable development (by 4 p.p. more). The final seasonally adjusted balance (-30) decreased by 1 p.p. compared with the previous month, indicating only a slighter deterioration of the employment situation. The number of employees decreased in transportation and storage, in the field of real estates, as well as in financial and insurance activities; a higher number of employees was registered mainly in administrative and support services, in accommodation and food service activities, also in arts, entertainment and recreation. In the development of the employment over the next three months, an improvement of the situation is assumed, the business balance (-27) increased by 11 points, compared with the previous month. A higher number of employees is assumed almost in all groups, mainly in accommodation and food service activities and in administrative and support service activities; a lower number of employees is considered only in professional, scientific and technical activities. Compared with the previous period, the business balance of the expected prices of services over the next three months (20) increased by 20 points while an increase of prices is considered by 33  % of enterprises (by 30 % more than in March), 1 % of enterprises expect a decrease of prices (by 1 % less), and 66 % of enterprises assume a stable development (by 29 % less). 21 % of respondents do not feel any limiting factors in realising the business plans. The most significant factors limiting the business plans in service have been  insufficient demand (42 %), financial constraints (22 %) and other barriers (35 %), within other barriers respondents reported most often: measures concerning the restriction of activities due to the adverse situation caused by the long-term coronavirus pandemic. Respondents reported they used capacities in services to 92 % in April.