Slovakia Business Morale Drops in January

The industrial confidence indicator in Slovakia fell by 1 point month-on-month to -3.3 in March 2026, from -2.3 in the previous month. This marked the lowest reading since November 2025, as the assessment of current industrial production turned negative again (-7 vs 11 in February), and the employment outlook became more pessimistic (-8 vs -5). On the other hand, the assessment of the current order level was less negative (-3 vs -16), while expectations for future production edged higher (9 vs 8), reflecting stronger anticipated output in the manufacture of wood, paper, printing and reproduction, as well as in the manufacture of machinery and equipment and the manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products and pharmaceutical preparations. In addition, sentiment toward the current level of export orders was less pessimistic (-7 vs -15), while sentiment for stocks of finished products turned positive (16 vs -1).

The industrial confidence indicator in Slovakia dropped by 2 points month-on-month to -2.3 in February 2026 from -0.3 in the previous month. The outlook worsened for the current level of orders (-16 vs -14), while expectations for future production (8 vs 17) became less optimistic, reflecting lower anticipated output in wood and paper products (12 vs 38), textiles (-1 vs 16), and electrical equipment (-6 vs 14). At the same time, sentiment on current export orders remained unchanged at -15. Meanwhile, the assessment of current industrial production improved, turning positive at 11 (vs -5 previously). The employment outlook also became slightly less pessimistic (-5 vs -6), and expectations for selling prices strengthened further (9 vs 6).

Slovakia’s industrial confidence indicator dropped by 4 points month-on-month to -0.3 in January 2026, reversing from a 3.7 increase in the previous month. The employment outlook turned negative (-6 vs 2), while the assessment of current export orders dropped further (-18 vs -15). Expected production also became less optimistic (17 vs 29), particularly in food, beverages, and tobacco products (-17 vs 4) and chemicals and chemical products (-42 vs -11). Meanwhile, assessment on current level of orders became less pessimistic (-14 vs -18), as well as the current industrial production (-5 vs -15). In addition, selling price expectations turned positive (6 vs -1), and finished goods stocks improved to 4 from 0.