In October 2025

Confidence indicators in Manufacturing, Trade, and Services declined, while Construction and Public Works registered an increase

According to information collected by the Regional Directorate of Statistics of Madeira (DREM) through the Qualitative Business Surveys (QBS), it was observed that, in October 2025, the confidence indicators in the Manufacturing, Trade, and Services sectors decreased compared with the previous month, whereas in Construction and Public Work, an increase was recorded.

The confidence indicator for Manufacturing declined in October, following an increase in September. This evolution was due to the negative contribution of all components: opinions regarding the evolution of overall demand, assessments of finished goods stocks, and production prospects. The balance of expectations concerning selling prices increased in October, after having decreased in August and September.

In Construction and Public Works, the confidence indicator rose in October, following a decline in September. This evolution reflected the positive contribution of assessments regarding the order book and employment prospects. The balance of price expectations for the next three months increased in October, after having fallen in August and September.

In Trade, the confidence indicator decreased in both August and October, after having risen in July. The evolution of the indicator in October resulted from the negative contribution of sales volume, while assessments concerning business activity prospects and stock volumes contributed positively. The balance of expectations for future price developments increased in October, after having decreased in September.

In Services, the confidence indicator declined for four consecutive months up to October, after having increased for the preceding five months. The evolution in October resulted from the negative contribution of opinions regarding the past evolution of the order book and business activity, while expectations concerning future demand developments contributed positively. The balance of expectations for service prices increased in October, after having fallen for the previous five months.

More than a quarter of Manufacturing and Services enterprises expect to increase investment in 2026

For 2026, the majority of enterprises in Manufacturing (63.7%) and Services (63.3%) expect investment levels to remain stable compared with 2025. On the other hand, 26.7% of Manufacturing enterprises and 28.6% of Services enterprises anticipate an increase in investment in 2026, while 9.3% and 8.1% of respondents, respectively, expect a decrease.

For further information, please consult:

• Dashboard (Portuguese only)
• In Focus (Portuguese only)
• Tables

Back

• Prev
• Next