Romania's business sentiment mostly positive in June

The managers of companies operating in manufacturing expect stability in production volumes, with a positive balance of 5%, during the next three months, INS said in its June 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 stay relatively flat in the manufacturing sector, as reflected in a balance of 0%. Prices of industrial products are expected to grow moderately, with a positive balance of 10%.

Managers of construction companies expect an increase in production volumes in the next three months, with a positive balance of 21%. They anticipate moderate growth in the number of employees, with a positive balance of 8%. Prices of construction works are expected to grow, with a positive balance of 26%.

Managers of retail companies expect growth of economic activity in the next three months, with a positive balance of 20%. The volume of orders placed by trade units to the suppliers of goods is expected to also increase, with a positive balance of 18%. Employers forecast relative stability in the number of employees over the next three months, with a positive balance of 3%. Managers expect that retail prices will rise, with a balance of 27%.

Demand for services is expected to register moderate growth in the next three months, showing a positive balance of 10%. The number of employees is anticipated to remain stable, 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 11%.

A total of 9,403 managers of Romania-based companies operating in construction, manufacturing, retail and services were interviewed in the survey.

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