Danish Business Morale Rises to 5-Month High

Denmark’s manufacturing confidence indicator rose to 100.5 in September 2026 from 97.9 in the previous month, moving above the long-term average of 100 for the first time since April. It was the highest reading in five months, as production expectations strengthened, climbing to 15 from 13 in August, while employment prospects moved into positive territory, rising to 5 from -9. On the broader front, the composite business confidence indicator, which covers manufacturing, construction, retail, and services, increased to 107.1 from 106.6. Confidence in the construction sector improved to 101.6 from 100.4 a month earlier, while retail confidence increased by 3.5 to 114.8. In contrast, confidence in services declined to 107.3 from 108.8.

Denmark’s manufacturing confidence indicator fell to 97.9 in August 2026 from a three-month high of 99.2 in the previous month, slipping further below the long-term average of 100. Production expectations weakened, falling to 13 from 16 in July, while employment prospects remained negative, unchanged at -9. On the broader front, the composite business confidence indicator, which covers manufacturing, construction, retail, and services, increased to 106.7 from 105.3. Confidence in the service and retail sectors rose to 108.8 and 111.4, from 107.3 and 106.2, respectively. In contrast, confidence in the construction sector deteriorated slightly to 100.4 from 100.6 a month earlier.

Denmark’s manufacturing confidence indicator rose to 99.2 in July 2026 from 90.7 in the previous month. This marked the highest reading since April, although it remained slightly below the long-term average of 100. Production expectations strengthened, climbing to 16 from 9 in June, while employment prospects became less negative, improving to -9 from -21. On the broader front, the composite business confidence indicator, which covers manufacturing, construction, retail, and services, increased to 105.4 from 101.0 in June. Confidence in the service industry advanced to 107.3 from 105.5, while retail confidence turned optimistic, reaching 106.3 after standing at 99.8 in the previous month. Meanwhile, confidence in the construction sector edged down to 101.0 from 101.3.