Romania's business sentiment positive in May

The managers of companies operating in manufacturing expect moderate growth in production volumes, with a positive balance of 10%, during the next three months, INS said in its May 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 negative balance of 1%. Prices of industrial products are expected to grow moderately, with a positive balance of 12%.

Managers of construction companies expect an increase in production volumes in the next three months, with a positive balance of 26%. They anticipate moderate growth in the number of employees, with a positive balance of 11%. 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 18%. The volume of orders placed by trade units to the suppliers of goods is expected to increase moderately, with a positive balance of 15%. Employers forecast growth in the number of employees over the next three months, with a positive balance of 18%. 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 9%. The number of employees is anticipated to grow moderately, with a positive balance of 7%. According to the interviewed managers in the sector, prices in services will grow moderately in the following three months, the balance here being 10%.

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

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