Ukrainian business modestly assessed the results of its work in October.

“Remaining significant security risks, destruction of production facilities, exporters’ logistical restrictions, narrowing of investment demand, growth of fuel prices, and shortage of qualified personnel restrained economic activity and led to the deterioration of assessments,” the NBU notes.

In October, the index of expectations of business activity was 49.6 compared to 50.1 in September, falling below the neutral level. Trade enterprises remain the most optimistic among economic sectors. For the eighth month in a row, these businesses positively evaluate the results of their activities. The index is 53 in October compared to 53.3 in September.

Industrial enterprises do not predict changes in their business activity for the second month in a row, maintaining their index at 50. After five consecutive months of optimistic assessments, in October construction enterprises expected a deterioration in the results of their activities – the index was 44.8 (in September – 50.6). In October, service sector enterprises once again provided negative assessments of their business activity. The index was 47.2 compared to 47.9 in September.