Czech Republic: Economic sentiment slips to near four-year low in July
The economic sentiment indicator, a composite confidence indicator published by the Czech Statistical Office (CSO), ticked down from 95.2 in June to 95.1 in July, the lowest reading since October 2015. As a result, the indicator moved further below the 100-point mark that separates optimism from pessimism in the Czech economy.
The business confidence index slipped from 93.1 in June to 92.8 in July, the lowest reading since October 2014. The print reflected weaker sentiment in the construction and services sectors more than offsetting higher confidence in trade. Confidence in the industrial sector, meanwhile, remained unchanged.
In contrast, consumers turned more optimistic in July, with the consumer confidence index climbing to 106.4 from 105.1 in the previous month. The upturn was chiefly due to households’ more positive outlook over the economic situation ahead. Consumer confidence remains well above the historical average.