CE Barometer November 2012: Confidence still weak

The European construction sector remained weak in November according to the results of the monthly CE Barometer survey. A negative balance of -22.6% of respondents said there were greater activity levels in November 2011, compared to the same month this year, a result that was similar to figures from the October and September surveys. The balance figure is the percentage of positive responses, minus the number of negative ones, and this measure of confidence has been in negative territory since February this year.

A balance of -5.3% of respondents said activity in November was lower than in the previous month. This was better than the results seen in the second half of the year so far, but the negative figure still indicates falling activity.

This year the barometer has not followed the normal seasonal pattern of weak month-on-month results in the summer vacation period, followed by an upsurge in the autumn. Sentiment was certainly very poor over the summer, but the autumn recovery has not materialised – CE Barometer responses have only become less negative.

But as in previous months, the industry remains positive about the future. A balance of +7.5% of respondents said they expected activity to be higher in a year’s time. Survey respondents have been positive on this point for most of the year, with just a single negative result in September.

However, this was not enough to lift the CE Climate – an overall measure of confidence – out of negative territory. It was stuck at -6.8% in November, a similar result to October and the fourth month in a row that it has been in minus figures.

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 1st to the 15^th of each month on our website. Full information can be found at www.cebarometer.eu