According to the report from KOF Economic Research Agency, the Economic Barometer fell from 96.2 in January (revised from 95.0) by 3.8 points to 92.4 by the end of February. The marked decline is predominantly due to negative impulses from the manufacturing industry; but the deteriorating sentiment has meanwhile also extended to the other components of this barometer.

The negative tendency within the manufacturing industry is mostly driven by the mechanical engineering and the electrical industry; but the signals are now below average in all industry branches. Within the construction sector, in particular the architects have become more cautious.

In the goods producing sector (manufacturing and construction), the negative trend is above all attributable to the assessments of the order books and the overall business situation; but the assessments have also become more sceptical with respect to intermediate products and inventories.