In October seasonally adjusted confidence indicator in services slightly decreased again after a four-months incr, the ease. Its value (-12) decreased by 11 percentage points (p.p.) compared with September. The indicator´s development was affected by more negative evaluations of all its three components.

The business situation over the past three months deteriorated compared with the previous month, the business balance (of seasonally adjusted data) decreased by 21 points and reached the level -32. A deterioration of the business situation was felt by 37% of enterprises (by 3 p.p. more than in the survey conducted in September), 13% of respondents reported an improvement (by 20 p.p. less), while 50% of enterprises (by 17 p.p. more) had a stable development. A deteriorated demand was indicated almost in all sectors, mainly though in accommodation and food services, in information and communication and in arts, entertainment and recreation; except professional, scientific and technical activities, as well as in administration and support services which recorded an improvement of the situation. Compared with the last month´s survey, demand for the services over the past three months (0) dropped by 2 points. The most significant decrease of the demand was indicated in accommodation and food services, also by the respondents in arts, entertainment and recreation, as well as in other activities; a higher demand was reflected in professional, scientific and technical activities and also in information and communication. The expected demand for the services over the past three months was also negatively evaluated by the respondents, the seasonally adjusted business balance (-4) decreased by 10 points. A lower demand is expected again in accommodation and food services, in arts, entertainment and recreation, as well as in other service activities; on the contrary, a slightly increased interest in their services is assumed in the field of real estates and in information and communication. 29% of enterprises decreased the number of their employees over the past three months (by 3 p.p. less than in September), 11% of enterprises (by 2 p.p. more) reported an increase and 60% of enterprises had a stable development (by 1 p.p. more). The final seasonally adjusted balance (-19) decreased by 3 p.p. compared with the previous month, indicating a slight deterioration of the employment situation. The number of employees decreased in accommodation and food services, as well as in arts, entertainment and recreation; a higher number of employees were recorded mainly in information and communication and in administrative and supports service activities. In the development of the employment over the next three months, a deterioration is assumed, the business balance (-29) decreased by 3 points, compared with the previous month. A lower number of employees is assumed mainly in accommodation and food services, in transportation and storage, also in other service activities; a higher number of employees is considered in financial and insurance activities. Compared with the previous period, the business balance of the expected prices of services over the next three months (20) increased by 15 points while an increase of prices is considered by 22 % of enterprises (by 20 p.p. more than in September), 3 % of enterprises (by 3 p.p. less) expect a decrease and 75% of enterprises (by 17 p.p. less) assume a stable development. 19% of companies do not feel limiting factors concerning the realization of their business plans. The most significant factors limiting the business plans in services have been insufficient demand (51%), financial constraints (29%) and other barriers, within other barriers respondents reported most often: frequent legislative changes, unfavourable business environment for the small and medium-sized enterprises, high competition, bureaucracy but mainly the adverse situation caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Respondents reported they used capacities in services to 91% in October.