Activity down, but hopes rise

The outlook for the European construction industry continued to worsen in August following a dip in July.

A balance figure of -8.2% of survey respondents said activity levels in July were higher than in August. This was down from the figure of +2.8% seen in July, and was the lowest figure recorded in 2016.

The balance figure is the percentage of positive responses minus the percentage of negative responses.

However, respondents remained positive about the future, with a balance of +43.5% saying they expected activity to be higher in a year’s time than now. This was the second highest figure seen in 2016 so far, with the highest coming in June, at +49.1%.

A balance of +5.9% of survey respondents said activity levels in August were better than a year previously. This compared to a higher balance of +12% in June, but maintained a measure of sentiment which was seen in the earlier months of the year, following May’s demise at -3.1%.

The CE Climate figure was also down again in August to +13.7%, compared with the 18.2% seen in July, and is now one of four months in 2016 to date to see the figure drop below +20%.

Confidence about the future seems to have improved compared to a month ago, despite activity being lower in August than July. However, fears of the impact of Brexit – the UK’s decision to leave the EU – seem to have eased, as more ompanies look forward to what the future holds.

Take part

The survey, which takes just a one minute to complete, is open to all construction professionals working in Europe. The CE Barometer survey is open from the 1^st to the 15^thof each month on our website. Full information can be found at www.cebarometer.eu