Business sentiment for October-December

S13 findings need to be viewed in the context of the Covid-19 caseload abating in the third quarter of fiscal 2021, with a partial pick-up in economic activity. This, along with the timing of the festive season, led to an uptick in the manufacturing and services sectors.

Sectors that saw a positive trend

• Among manufacturers, 31% reported a good SQ13, compared with 20% in SQ12 and 27% in the same quarter a year ago (SQ9).
  
  • In SQ13, leather & leather goods, pharmaceuticals, and gems & jewellery sectors had the highest share of respondents who reported a good quarter
    
  • On-year (SQ9 to SQ13), leather & leather goods, gems & jewellery, and pharmaceuticals reported growth in the share of respondents with positive sentiment
    
• Among service providers, 28% reported a good SQ13, compared with 18% in SQ12 and 25% in the same quarter a year ago (SQ9).
  
  • In SQ13, healthcare providers & services, and the construction & real estate sectors had the highest share of respondents who reported a good quarter
    
  • On-year (SQ9 to SQ13), construction & real estate, and traders saw a higher share of respondents with positive sentiment