Slovenia Business Confidence at 2022-Highs

Slovenia’s seasonally adjusted manufacturing confidence indicator fell to -4 in August 2026, below its long-term average, from -2 in the previous month. Product expectations eased to 6 from 13 in July, selling price expectations declined to 6 from 8, while uncertainty also moderated to 27 from 30. Meanwhile, stocks of finished products rose to 5 from 3, while production held steady at 5. The deterioration in export order books eased to -16 from -18, while overall order books improved to -13 from -15. Moreover, expected employment increased to 9 from 8, while the labour hoarding indicator rose to 7 from 5. Outside manufacturing, confidence improved in retail trade and services, while remaining unchanged in construction, with all sectors staying above their long-term averages.

Slovenia's seasonally adjusted manufacturing confidence indicator improved to -2 in July 2026 from -4 in June, marking its least pessimistic reading since August 2022. The improvement was broad-based, while uncertainty eased to its lowest level since October 2025 (30 vs. 33). Production expectations strengthened (13 vs. 7), while the assessment of current production edged up to 5 from 4. Finished goods inventories also increased slightly (3 vs. 2). Order books improved overall (-16 vs. -17) and for exports (-18 vs. -20), while selling price expectations moderated (8 vs. 13). Employment expectations edged up to 8 from 7, although accumulation of labor eased (5 vs. 8). Outside manufacturing, confidence improved in retail trade, was unchanged in construction, and weakened in services, with sentiment in all three sectors remaining above their long-term averages.

Slovenia’s seasonally adjusted manufacturing business tendency indicator improved to -4 in June 2026 from -5 in May, marking the least pessimistic reading since January. The improvement was supported by a slightly stronger assessment of current production (4 vs 3 in May), higher employment expectations (7 vs 6), and a modest improvement in total orders assessments (-17 vs -19). Production expectations remained unchanged at 6, as did the labour hoarding indicator at 8, while stocks of finished goods declined to 2 from 3, pointing to lower inventory accumulation. Selling price expectations also fell to 13 from 21. On the other hand, the indicator for total order books deteriorated slightly to -21 from -20, while the gauge for uncertainty edged up to 33 from 32. Outside manufacturing, sentiment weakened in retail trade, construction, and services, though confidence in all three sectors remained above their long-term averages.