In Latvia, the confidence of trading companies increased in April, while the confidence of industrial and construction companies was weak Business

The confidence index of retail trade companies rose from 1.9 points to 2.1 points during the month, after considering the seasonality.

Meanwhile, the confidence index of representatives of the service sector fell from 2.7 points to 0.9 points, the construction sector – from minus 11.1 points to minus 13.7 points, industry – from minus 6.7 to minus 5.9 points.

Positive indicators mean a favorable business environment, negative indicators mean the opposite.

The general index of economic sentiment, which describes the general social and economic situation, increased from 98.0 to 98.2 points during the month. Its value exceeding 100 points means higher than the long-term (year 2000-2023) average, and lower means the opposite.

The indicator of expectations of changes in employment fell to 98.7 points during the month. It is a composite of seasonally adjusted expectations of employment changes in the manufacturing, construction, retail trade and services sectors, taking into account the share of employment in each of these sectors. Its value exceeding 100 points means higher than the long-term (year 2000-2023) average, and lower means the opposite.

The indicator of economic uncertainty rose from 17.1 points to 17.4 points. This indicator describes the predictability of the social and economic situation in the country, based on surveys of representatives of these four sectors. Its positive value means that the uncertainty is high, it is difficult to predict the development, and its negative value means the clarity of the situation, easy forecasting.