Economic confidence index in Turkey, which was 96.2 in January decreased by 0.5% in February to 95.8. This decrease in economic confidence index stemmed from the decreases in real sector (manufacturing industry), services and construction confidence indices.
Real sector confidence index decreased by 0.3% and became 108.7, services confidence index decreased by 1.4% and became 100.4; construction confidence index decreased by 1.3% and became 83.1 in February compared to the previous month. On the other hand, consumer confidence index increased by 1.5% and became 84.5, retail trade confidence index increased by 0.4% and became 108.9, TURKSTAT reports.
As for sectoral confidence indices, during the reporting period, confidence index decreased in services and construction sectors while increased in retail trade sector.
Seasonally adjusted confidence index decreased by 1.4% in services sector and 1.3% in construction sector, while increased 0.4% in retail trade sector in February compared to January.
Seasonally adjusted confidence index which was 101.9 for services in January decreased by 1.4% in February to 100.4. In services sector compared to the previous month, business situation over past three months sub-index decreased by 1.1% to 101.8. Demand-turnover over past three months sub-index remained at the same level 98.0 and demand-turnover expectation over next three months sub-index decreased by 3.1% to 101.4.
Seasonally adjusted retail trade confidence index increased by 0.4% in February to 108.9. In retail trade sector compared to the previous month, business activity-sales over past three months sub-index increased by 2.8% to 122.2. Current volume of stock sub-index increased by 2.8% to 92.6 and business activity-sales expectation over next three months sub-index decreased by 4.0% to 112.0.
Seasonally adjusted construction confidence index which was 84.2 in January decreased by 1.3% in February to 83.1. In construction sector compared to the previous month, current overall order books sub-index became 76.9 by increasing 1.6%. Total employment expectation over next three months sub-index decreased by 3.6% to 89.3.
In construction sector, 51.1% of the enterprises indicated at least one factor limiting their activities while 48.9% of the enterprises indicated none in February. Among the main factors limiting activities in construction sector; "financial constraints" which was 26.3% in January realized the same in February, "insufficient demand" which was 22.4% in January realized as 25.7% in February and "other factors" which was 30.0% in January realized as 27.2% in February.
