Business expectations return to optimism: Which sectors see the economy most favorably?

Business expectations in Paraguay returned to optimistic territory in August, but only by a narrow margin. The indicator produced by the National Chamber of Commerce and Services of Paraguay reached 50.25 points, up 0.53% from the previous month.

Readings above 50 points indicate optimism, while figures below that level signal pessimism. The survey draws on the views of company directors, managers and presidents, and examines expectations for employment, prices and the broader economic outlook.

Four of the six sectors surveyed exceeded the optimism threshold. Real estate led with 50.86 points, followed by other services at 50.79, finance at 50.17 and transport at 50.07. The other-services category includes activities such as accounting, legal work, cleaning, general warehouses, maritime agencies, ports, polling firms, funeral services and software development.

Commerce recorded 49.64 points and construction 49.00, leaving both sectors in pessimistic territory. Construction also showed the weakest recent performance. Its activity reading improved from 48.50 to 49.00 points, but its order book fell 1.02% to 48.50 points. The survey also found worsening expectations for construction-sector hiring over the next three months.

Perceptions of recent activity were mixed. Commerce’s assessment of recent sales rose from 50.00 to 50.50 points, while transport’s assessment increased from 49.50 to 50.00. Real estate climbed from 50.00 to 51.50, and other services rose from 49.50 to 50.50. Financial-sector readings remained at 50.00 points.