In July 2026

Confidence indicator in Manufacturing, Construction and Public Works and Trade increased, while in Services there was a decrease

According to information collected by the Regional Directorate of Statistics of Madeira (DREM) through the Qualitative Business Surveys (IQC), in July 2026 the confidence indicator in the Manufacturing, Construction and Public Works and Trade sectors increased compared with the previous month, while in Services there was a decrease.

The Manufacturing confidence indicator increased for four consecutive months, after decreasing in March. This trend was due to the positive contribution of production expectations and opinions on the evolution of overall demand, with assessments of product stocks contributing negatively. The balance of expectations regarding selling prices increased in July, after having decreased in June.

The Construction and Public Works confidence indicator increased in July, after having decreased throughout the second quarter. The change in the last month reflected the positive contribution of the order book and employment expectations. The balance of expectations regarding prices to be charged by the enterprise over the next three months remained stable in July, after having decreased in May and June.

The Trade confidence indicator increased in July, after having decreased slightly in June. The change in the indicator in July resulted from the positive contribution of assessments of the enterprise's activity outlook, with sales volume and stock volume contributing negatively. The balances of expectations regarding future price movements decreased between May and July, after having increased in the two previous months.

In Services, the indicator decreased in July, after having increased throughout the first half of the year. This trend resulted from the negative contribution of all components: opinions on the past evolution of the order book, assessments of the enterprise's activity, and expectations regarding the future evolution of demand. The balance of expectations regarding the future evolution of demand decreased in June and July, after having increased over the previous six months.

Difficulties in recruiting qualified staff are the main limiting factor in Manufacturing, a factor that also worsened between January and April in Trade. In Services, in turn, insufficient demand also gained prominence as a limiting factor. In Construction and Public Works, the reduced outlook for activity over the next three months stands out.

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