CE Barometer November 2013: Sentiment holds steady

The results of the November CE Barometer survey were almost unchanged from October, providing a fourth straight month of fairly robust confidence in the European construction sector.

The overall climate edged up from October’s balance figure of +19.9% to +21.9%. The balance figure is the percentage of positive responses, minus the number of negative ones.

A significant change in November was a big leap in the number of respondents saying activity levels were higher than a year ago. This measure of confidence was up at a positive balance of +19.4%, compared to the low single-digit figures of August, September and October. Indeed, this was the highest this measure has been since late 2011. It was this leap in confidence that pulled up the composite CE Climate figure to +21.9%.

Once again there was a lot of optimism about prospects over the next 12 months, although at a balance of +35.5%, sentiment was a little weaker than in September and October.

At a balance of +10.8%, the picture for improvements in month-on-month activity in November was similar – a score comfortably in positive territory, but down a little from October, when the figure was +13.4%.

With a fourth month of improving figures for the CE Barometer, the recovery in the European construction sector seems to be taking root. The increased optimism about future prospects is particularly encouraging.

Take part

The survey, which takes just a one minute to complete, is open to all construction professionals working in Europe. The CE Barometer survey is open from the 1st to the 15^th of each month on our website. Full information can be found at www.cebarometer.eu