In February, the confidence indicator in industry decreased after seasonal adjustment by 1 p.p. to -5,3. The indicator´s development was unfavourably influenced mainly by the increase of the finished goods stock.
In February compared with January, the industrial production trend dropped by 27 p.p. to 9. A decrease was registered mainly in manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products and transport equipment. On the contrary, an increase of the industrial production was reported by respondents in manufacture of other non-metallic products. The balance of the aggregate orders increased by 7 p.p. to -15. An improvement of the level of orders (weighted by production) was recorded more considerably in manufacture of machinery n.e.c. and basic metal and fabricated metal products. Deterioration was mainly in the chemical industry. The balance of foreign orders rose by 11 p.p. to -13, compared with January. An improvement of the level of foreign orders was reported mainly in manufacture of machinery and equipment n.e.c. and wood and paper products. On the contrary, a deterioration was registered mainly in other manufacture, repair and installation. In February, the balance of the finished goods stock increased by 10 p.p. to 7. An increase of the stock is expected by respondents mainly in manufacture of textiles and apparel and computer, electronic and optical products. The majority of respondents consider the stock to be sufficient. Compared with the previous month, the balance of the industrial production over the next three months, remained unchanged, at the level 6. The increase of the production is assumed mainly in the chemical industry and in manufacture of transport equipment; by size groups, in enterprises employing 100 to 249 people and by regions, mainly in Žilina and Prešov. A decrease of the production is expected mainly in manufacture of textiles and apparel and other non-metallic products. In February, the balance of the expected development of industrial products prices increased by 12 p.p. to -1. A price rise is assumed mainly in manufacture of transport equipment and wood and paper products. A price drop is reported mainly in manufacture of textiles and apparel and basic metal and fabricated metal products. In February compared with January, the balance of the employment dropped by 3 p.p. to -13. A decrease in the number of employees is expected mainly in manufacture of machinery and equipment n.e.c., basic metal and fabricated metal products and other manufacture, repair and installations; by size groups, in enterprises employing 1000 and more people and by regions mainly in Banská Bystrica and Trnava. On the contrary, an increase of the employment is assumed mainly in manufacture of other non-metallic products, by regions in Prešov and Trenčín. The majority of respondents expect a stabilisation of employment.