Confıdence In Servıces And Constructıon At Pessımıstıc Levels

Sectoral confidence indices rose in December, but still at "pessimistic" levels in services and construction sectors while confidence in retail trade stood at "optimistic" level.

Sectoral confidence indices, prepared by Turkish Statistical Institute, indicate an optimistic outlook when it is above 100, but it indicates a pessimistic outlook when it is below 100.

Seasonally adjusted services confidence index increased by 0.8 percent to 97.5 in December, up from 96.8 in November. This increase in the services confidence index stemmed from the increased number of managers evaluating an improved business situation over the past three months and expecting an increase in demand-turnover over the next three months. The number of managers evaluating an increase in demand-turnover over the past three months remained unchanged.

In services sector; business situation index and demand-turnover expectation index increased by 1.2 percent and 1.1 percent respectively compared to the previous month.

RETAIL TRADE

Seasonally adjusted retail trade confidence index increased by 1.9 percent to 107.1 in December, up from 105.1 in November. This increase in the retail trade confidence index stemmed from the increased number of managers evaluating an increased business activity-sales over the past three months, current volume of stock as below seasonal normal and expecting an increase in business activity-sales over the next three months.

In retail trade sector; business activity-sales index, current volume of stock index and business activity-sales expectation index rose up by 2.3 percent, 2.4 percent and 1,1 percent respectively compared to the previous month.

CONSTRUCTION

Seasonally adjusted construction confidence index increased by 0.4 percent to 83.3 in December, up from 83.0 in previous month. This increase in the construction confidence index stemmed from the increased number of managers evaluating current overall order books as above seasonal normal. The number of managers expecting an increase in total employment over the next three months decreased.

In construction sector; current overall order books index increased by 2.4 percent while total employment expectation index decreased by 0.8 percent compared to the previous month. - Istanbul