Compared with the last month´s survey, the business situation over the past three months slightly deteriorated, the business balance (of seasonally adjusted data) decreased by 3 points and reached the level -5. A deterioration of the business situation is felt by 19 % of respondents (similarly as in August), an improvement was indicated by 15 % of enterprises (by 1 % less) and 66 % of enterprises (by 1 % more) had a stable development. Negative trend was the most reflected mainly in accommodation and food service activities, only a slight deterioration was indicated in transportation and storage and in information and communication, a favourable situation was mainly in enterprises classified under other service activities. Compared with the previous month´s survey, the demand for the services over the past three months (12) increased by 2 points. A slight improvement of the demand was reported almost in all groups, except accommodation and food service activities, as well as in administration and support service activities, where, contrastly, a lower demand was observed. The expected development of the demand for services over the next three months was evaluated negatively by respondents, the seasonally adjusted business balance (14) decreased by 17 points. A lower demand is expected mainly in accommodation and food service activities, in financial and insurance activities, in administration and support service activities, a higher demand is assumed the most in arts, entertainment and recreation and in real estate activities. 18 % of enterprises increased the number of their employees over the past three months (by 2 p.p. more than in the survey conducted in August), 37 % of enterprises (by 3 p.p. less) reported a decrease and 45% of enterprises had a stable development (by 1 p.p. more). Compared with the last month, the final seasonally adjusted balance (-11) increased by 13 points, indicating an improvement of the employment situation. Over the past three months, the number of the employed increased in transportation and storage and in financial and insurance activities, in professional, scientific and technical activities, a number of employees was reduced, on the contrary, in arts, entertainment and recreation. A deterioration is assumed in the development of the employment over the next three months, the business balance (-9) decreased by 4 points, compared with the survey conducted in August. The number of employees will be decreased in professional, scientific and technical activities as well as in arts, entertainment and recreation, the number of employees will be increased, on the contrary, mainly in enterprises in the field of administration and support services. Compared with the previous period, the business balance of the expected prices of services over the next three months (15) increased by 7 points while the majority of enterprises (89 %) assume a stabilized development. 10 % of enterprises (by 4 p.p. more than in August) consider a price increase, only 1% of enterprises expect a price decrease (by 1 % less).

Note: * In September, 443 respondents were participated in survey which represents the whole service sector.