Chile: Business sentiment rises in January
The business confidence index (IMCE), published by ICARE and the Adolfo Ibáñez University, rose to 40.7 points in January from 32.5 points in December. Nevertheless, the index remained below the crucial 50-point threshold that separates pessimism from optimism among Chilean businesses.
In January, confidence in the mining sector rebounded markedly from a month prior, likely thanks to easing U.S.–China trade tensions, and was the only subcomponent of the index which reported optimism. Although sentiment in the commerce and industrial sector improved somewhat, both remained stuck in pessimistic territory. Moreover, sentiment in the construction sector turned more pessimistic in January.