CE Barometer results for February

The February 2021 barometer survey was completed in the second and third week of March.

The balance figure (the difference between those reporting on improvement or deterioration in conditions between January and February 2021) stands at 32.8%; the highest it has been since July of last year – and before that since April 2018.

Almost half (48.4%) of respondents said their businesses had fared better in February than in January, with 36.1% registering no change and only 15.6% saying business had dipped.

Comparing business today with 12 months ago, exactly 50% of respondents said they were now in a stronger position, while 27% said things had deteriorated and 23% reported no change.

When looking ahead, however, to expectations for business in 12 months’ time, the balance figure leaps to 54.9% - a show of confidence not seen on the barometer for almost seven years.

Fewer than a tenth of respondents (9%) now expect business levels to be lower in a year’s time, while 63.9% anticipate output to increase.

The CE Barometer survey is sent out to a broad cross-section of construction industry professionals, including contractors, equipment manufacturers, materials suppliers, surveyors and many others within Europe’s construction supply chain.

The February survey contains responses from professionals in 24 European countries; a broader representation has not been seen on the barometer since October 2018.