October 29 (SeeNews) - Most company managers in Romania expect a drop in the construction business in the next three months, while in manufacturing, retail and services, a relative stability is forecast, the National Statistical Office (INS) said on Friday.
Construction companies expect a drop in the production volumes of their business in the next three months, with a negative balance of 12%, INS said in a monthly business sentiment survey.
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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.
The managers in the construction sector anticipate a moderate drop in the number of employees, with a negative balance of 8%. Prices of construction works are expected to grow strongly, with a positive balance of 49%.
The managers of companies operating in the manufacturing industry expect a relative stability in production volumes, with a negative 5% balance, during the next three months.
A strong increase is expected in manufacturing of coke and refined petroleum products, with a positive balance of 59%. Regarding the number of employees, stability is expected, with a negative balance of 2%, while prices of industrial products are expected to grow, with a positive balance of 37%.
Demand for services is expected to be stable in the next three months, showing a negative balance of 1%. Also, a relative stability in the number of employees is forecast, with a balance of 1%. According to the interviewed managers in the sector, prices in services will grow in the following three months, with the balance here being 21%.
Managers of retail companies expect a stable economic activity in the next three months, with a positive balance of 2%. The volume of orders placed by trade units to the suppliers of goods will grow moderately, with a positive balance of 7%. Employers forecast a growth in the number of employees in the next three months, with a positive balance of 19%. The managers expect that retail prices will rise, with a balance of 44%.
A total of 8,987 managers of Romanian-based companies in construction, manufacturing, retail and services were interviewed in the survey.
In September, business sentiment was positive in retail and services, and stable in manufacturing and construction, according to earlier INS data.
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