The Consumer confidence indicator increased between December and April, recording the highest value since February 2022 and above the historical average of the series. The balance of Consumer opinions on the past evolution of prices increased in April, after having decreased in the last two months. The balance of perspectives regarding future price developments decreased in the last three months, tenuously in April, after the significant increase observed in January.

The economic climate indicator decreased in April, contrary to the increase recorded in the previous month. Confidence indicators decreased in Manufacturing Industry and Services, having increased in Trade and, only slightly, in Construction and Public Works.

The balance of entrepreneurs’ expectations regarding the future evolution of selling prices increased in April in Manufacturing Industry and Trade and decreased again in Construction and Public Works and Services, after having significantly decreased in March in all sectors.

According to information collected about the evolution of investment in the context of the business survey for the manufacturing industry (page 10 of this press release), 57.9% of firms foresee that investment will stabilize in 2024 compared to 2023, while 34.0% foresee an increase and 8.1% a decrease.