Romania's April business sentiment improves in all sectors

The managers of companies operating in manufacturing expect moderate growth in production volumes, with a positive balance of 12%, during the next three months, INS said in a monthly business sentiment survey.

The balance is calculated as the difference between the percentage of respondents who expect positive developments and the percentage of those whose expectations are negative.

Employment numbers are seen to be marked by relative stability, as reflected in a flat balance of 0%. Prices of industrial products are expected to grow moderately, with a positive balance of 15%.

Managers of construction companies expect an increase in production volumes in the next three months, with a positive balance of 25%. They anticipate moderate growth in the number of employees, with a positive balance of 9%. Prices of construction works are expected to grow, with a positive balance of 28%.

Managers of retail companies expect growth of economic activity in the next three months, with a positive balance of 21%. The volume of orders placed by trade units to the suppliers of goods is expected to increase, with a positive balance of 20%. Employers forecast a growth in the number of employees over the next three months, with a positive balance of 20%. Managers expect that retail prices will rise, with a balance of 21%.

Demand for services is expected to register moderate growth in the next three months, showing a positive balance of 10%. Relative stability in the number of employees is anticipated, with a positive balance of 5%. According to the interviewed managers in the sector, prices in services will grow moderately in the following three months, the balance here being 12%.

A total of 8,961 managers of Romania-based companies operating in construction, manufacturing, retail and services were interviewed in the survey.

In March, managers expected growth in economic activity in the construction sector, as moderate growth was forecast in the manufacturing, retail, and services sectors.