The business trend in Finland is still better than normal in almost all sectors. The peak, however, seems to have been left behind in line with expectations.

According to a questionnaire carried out by the Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK) in January, the growth in output slowed down at the end of the year to some extent in both industry and construction. In the service sectors the market situation remained stable and fairly good.

The companies that responded to the business trend survey thought that the gradual fall from the peak would continue during the first months of the year and the summer. However, a major turn for the worse is not expected.

Stable services

The growth in sales by the service sectors remained steady. The growth rate was described as fairly good. The steady growth is expected to continue during the next two quarters.

The balance figure for the business trend prospects in January was -8 (in October -1). An improvement was forecast by ten per cent of the respondents. Almost three-quarters (72%) predicted that the situation would remain stable until the summer.

Light in industry

The growth in output by industrial companies was slower at the end of the year and a touch weaker than expected. Still, the expectations for output for the coming months are good.

The balance figure measuring the business trend prospects in January was -6 (in October -7). A better picture was predicted by 11 per cent of the companies. In industry, too, 72 per cent of the companies predicted that the trends would remain unchanged.

Construction slows down

In construction the growth in output slowed down. Production volumes, however, are expected to increase moderately.

The balance figure for the business trend prospects in January was -15 (in October -16). A strengthening in the situation was expected by seven per cent of the respondents. Three-quarters thought that the business trends in the next few months would remain as they are.

What is the business trend survey? The business trend survey of the Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK) is published four times a year. It has been carried out regularly since 1966. The survey in January was answered by 1,185 companies employing about 301,000 people in Finland.

>> www.ek.fi

Prospects for the construction industry are still good, even though the growth in output has slowed down. (Photo: City of Helsinki Picture Bank/ Mika Lappalainen)