Drop in conjuncture index stopping in April

Following a nine month continuous drop, the value of the GKI conjuncture index finally stabilised in April. According to a survey by GKI Gazdaságkutató Zrt. conducted with the support of the EU, consumer expectations continued to deteriorate, but business expectations showed a modest improvement. For the first time since May 2008, the industrial confidence index improved somewhat in April. The confidence index of the retail sector also showed some improvement in April but that of the service sector continued to deteriorate. Consumer expectations continued to deteriorate in April. A substantial increase in fears regarding unemployment has occurred since March, but present and future financial prospects are also seen as bad by consumers.