In September, the confidence indicator in industry increased by 9 p.p. to the value 1. The development of the indicator was favourably influenced mainly by the increase of the expected production over the next three months and by a decrease of the finished goods stock.

In September compared with August, the industrial production trend decreased by 20 p.p. to -18. A decrease was recorded mainly in manufacture of other non-metallic products, machinery and equipment n.e.c. and in other manufacture, repair and installations. On the contrary, an increase of industrial production was reported mainly by respondents in manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products and in the chemical industry. The business balance of the aggregate orders decreased by 4 p.p. to -16. A decrease of orders (weighted by production) was recorded mainly in manufacture of wood and paper products and textiles and apparel. There was an increase of orders mainly in manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products, machinery and equipment n.e.c. and in other manufacture, repair and installations. The majority of respondents (83 %) consider the current level of orders to be sufficient. Compared with August, the balance of foreign orders decreased by 3 p.p. to -18.  A decrease of foreign orders was indicated mainly in manufacture of wood and paper products and machinery and equipment n.e.c. On the contrary, an increase of foreign orders was reported mainly in manufacture of textiles and apparel, in the pharmaceutical industry and in manufacture of food. 82 % of exporting respondents consider the level of foreign orders to be sufficient. In September, the balance of the finished goods stock in industry decreased by 1 p.p. to 1. A decrease of the goods stock is expected mainly by respondents in other manufacture, repair and installations and in manufacture of machinery and equipment n.e.c. An increase of the stock is reported mainly by respondents in manufacture of textiles and apparel and in the pharmaceutical industry. The majority of respondents (96 %) consider the total stock to be sufficient. Compared with the previous month, the balance of the industrial production over the next three months, increased by 30 p.p. to 20. An increase of the production is assumed mainly in manufacture of transport equipment, other non-metallic products and basic metal and fabricated metal products, by size groups, in enterprises employing 1000 and more people and by regions in Bratislava and Košice. A decrease of the production is assumed mainly in the chemical industry and in manufacture of food. In September, the balance of the expected development of industrial products prices, increased by 5 p.p. to -4. A price increase is expected mainly in manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products and in other manufacture, repair and installations. A price decrease is assumed, mainly in manufacture of wood and paper products and in the chemical industry. In September compared with August, the balance of the employment decreased by 6 p.p. to -23. A lower number of employees is assumed mainly in manufacture of transport equipment, computer, electronic and optical products and food, by size groups in enterprises employing 500 and 999 people and by regions in Bratislava and Banská Bystrica. On the contrary, a higher number of employees is expected mainly in manufacture of other non-metallic products and in the chemical industry, by regions in Prešov and Nitra. 55 % of respondents expect a stabilization of employment.