Tuesday, November 5 2013 20:26
Business activity index in Armenia down from 58 to 55.6 points in Q3 2013 amid business climate growth from 53.8 to 54.2 points
ArmInfo. Business activity index in Armenia was down from 58 to 55.6 points in Q3 013 amid 0.8 points annual growth, according to final assessment of respondents. Quarterly decline of the business activity index assessment is a result of the slackening growth of economic activity amid optimistic expectations in all sectors. The highest business activity index was registered in the trade sector – 57.8 points amid 58.4 points for Q2 2013, which is 0.6 points less than a year ago. Then goes the industrial sector, where the given index was estimated at 56.4 points for Q3 versus 60.6 points for Q2 and 2.4 points growth versus the same period of 2012. In the field of services, business activity index for Q3 was estimated at 55.1 points versus 56.7 points for Q2, which is 0.9 points higher than a year ago. The lowest index was given to the construction sector – 53.3 points for Q3, with a 2.6points decline for Q2 amid 0.3 points growth for the same period of 2012.
Central Bank told ArmInfo the final assessment of respondents on the business climate index grew from 53.8 points to 54.2 points for Q3 amid 2.4 points growth for the same period of 2012. This index for Q3 grew due to growing expectations in all sectors, except trade. The highest business climate index was in the industrial sector as before – 56.8 points versus 55.8 points for Q2 with a 2.9 points growth for the same period of 2012. Then goes the services sector with 54.7 points versus 54.3 points for Q2 and 47.4 points for Q3 2012. In the field of trade, the business climate index was estimated at 52.4 points versus 55 points for Q2 and 49.5 points for Q3 2012. Respondents gave 52.3 points to the construction sector versus 50 points in Q2 and 51.5 points for Q3 2012.
The indices are calculated on the basis of averaged balance of assessments and expectations. The factual balance of economic activity was calculated on the basis of the respondents assessment of the production scales and demand level. The balance of expectations was assessed given the possible production scales for the following quarter and the demand for the product or services, and the volume of reserves.
To recall, the Central Bank has been conducting the given poll among operating companies since 2005 (in the field of industry, construction, services, including retail trade) to assess the current economic situation and expectations. The methodology of index calculation is based on the US Conference Board and IFO principles.
Active consumer lending causes double-digit growth in bad loans 
Luys Foundation: Armenian government continues to face challenges in budget planning
Armenia`s brandy and winemaking industry in crisis - economist 
Even at embryonic stage, powerful impetus given to economic activity in energy sector - ENA acting manager 
Armenian NA OKs ENA nationalization 
China preparing to open new chapter of One Belt, One Road initiative with involvement of Armenia - diplomat 
The Merger between "Ardshinbank" CJSC and "Ardshininvestbank" CJSC Has Been Completed
Ticket packets 1.2% of total number of transport tickets in Yerevan