Chile: Business confidence edges down in May
The business confidence index (IMCE), published by ICARE and the Adolfo Ibáñez University, deteriorated for the fourth consecutive month in May, landing at 50.6 points (April: 52.1 points). Nevertheless, the index remained above the crucial 50-point threshold that separates optimism from pessimism among Chilean businesses.
Notably, sentiment in the construction sector turned pessimistic in May, while sentiment in the industrial sector dipped further down into negative territory. Meanwhile, confidence in the commercial sector deteriorated albeit remained positive. In contrast, optimism in the mining sector rose to an eight-month high.