In December, the confidence indicator in industry decreased by 3,3 p.p. to -3,3 after seasonal adjustment. The  indicator´s development was unfavourably influenced mainly by the expected decrease of the  production in the next three months.

In December compared with November, the industrial production trend rose by 38 p.p. to 16, representing the highest level since June 2021. An increase was registered mainly in manufacture of transport equipment, basic metal and fabricated metal products and electrical equipment. On the contrary, a decrease of the industrial production was stated by respondents mainly in other manufacture, repair and installations.

The balance of the aggregate ordersrose by 1 p.p. to 3. An improving level of orders (weighted by production) was recorded more considerably in manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products, basic metal and fabricated metal products and other non-metallic products; by size groups, in enterprises employing 500 to 999 people and by regions in Košice and Trenčín. There was a deterioration mainly in manufacture of transport equipment and electrical equipment.

Compared with November, the balance of foreign orders increased by 7 p.p. to 13. An upward level of foreign orders was stated mainly in manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products and basic metal and fabricated metal products. On the contrary, a deterioration was recorded mainly in manufacture of electrical equipment.

In December, the balance of the finished goods stock rose by 1 p.p. to 27. Increased goods stocks are indicated mainly in the chemical industry.The majority of respondents consider the goods stock to be sufficient. Lower stocks of goods were mainly in other manufacture,repair and installations, food and basic metal and fabricated metal products.

Compared with the previous month, the balance of the industrial production over the next three months decreased by 10 p.p. to 14. A decrease of the production is assumed mainly in manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products, transport equipment and pharmaceutical products; by size groups, in enterprises employing 500 to 999 people and by regions in Žilina and Nitra. An increase of the production is expected mainly in manufacture of other non-metallic products, in the chemical industry and in manufacture of electrical equipment; by regions only in Trenčín.

In December, the balance of expected development of prices of industrial products decreased by 1 p.p. to 20. They expect a decrease of prices mainly in the chemical industry and in manufacture of basic metal and fabricated metal products. On the contrary, a price rise is assumed mainly in manufacture of textiles and apparel and other non-metallic products.

In December compared with November, the balance of employment rose by 6 p.p. to 7. An increase in the number of employees is assumed mainly in the chemical industry, in other non-metallic products and computer, electronic and optical products; by regions in Nitra and Trenčín. On the contrary, a decrease of employment is expected mainly in manufacture of pharmaceutical products. 75 % of respondents expect the employment to be stabilized.