Brasília – A study by the National Confederation of Industries (CNI) shows that sector businessmen are less confident. According to a study promoted by the organisation, industrial optimism reached 56.4 points in August, 1.5 point less than in July.
The Industrial Business Confidence Index (Icei), disclosed by the CNI on Friday (19), also shows that, in comparison with August 2010, industrial confidence dropped much more, 7.6 points.
The Icei ranges from 0 to 100, and values above 50 show industrial confidence. The optimism in August is also 3.2 points below the historic average of 59.6 points.
The reduction in confidence is present in companies of all sizes and has been taking place in February 2010. According to the CNI, the economic crisis should further reduce the confidence of industrialists in the third quarter.
If perspectives for the coming six months are taken into consideration, the confidence in the Brazilian economy and in companies themselves dropped from 65.5 points, in July, to 63.2 points, in August.
*Translated by Mark Ament
