KOF Economic Barometer increases in March

In March, the KOF Economic Barometer increases by 1.3 points to a level of 103.9 (after revised 102.6 in February). The production-side indicator bundles included in the Barometer reflect these positive developments. In particular, the indicator bundles for manufacturing, for other services, and for the construction industry indicate a more favourable outlook than before. The demand-side indicator bundles for private consumption also increase, while the indicator bundles for foreign demand remain unaltered.

Within the producing industry (manufacturing and construction), the indicator bundles for the general business situation, for order backlogs, and for production activity show positive developments. The indicator bundles for stockpiling of intermediate goods, however, are under pressure. The majority of the other indicator bundles for the sub-aspects of business activity remain mostly unaltered this month.

The sub-indicators of the manufacturing industry show mixed developments. While the sub-indicators for the wood, glass, stone and earth segment and the electrical industry are weakening, the outlook for the segments of paper and printing products, machinery and equipment manufacturing, and the chemical and pharmaceutical industry is brightening.