São Paulo – The Brazilian productive sector ended last year more confident regarding economic growth, according to the Economic Sensor index, measured by the Institute of Applied Economic Research (Ipea).
In a press statement disclosed today (15), the Ipea informs that the level for December was 31.5 points, 2.3 points above that registered in November. The index varies from – 100 to + 100, and the range between + 20 and + 60 points shows confidence.
The expectations that improved most in the month were the national accounts and the performance of companies. There was also expansion, according to the institute, in the perception regarding economic parameters and social improvement, despite little significant.
Throughout 2009, there was significant evolution in the index, according to the Ipea. In January it was at 6.8 points, showing apprehension with regard to the future of the economy. The institute shows that the improvement in expectations took place mainly from July on.
The expectations that advanced most this year, according to the Ipea, were those of national expenditure and the performance of companies, and there was lower growth in social improvements and a reduction in economic parameters.
The index includes items “national bills”, measuring the expectations regarding variation of GDP and of exports; “economic parameters”, considering inflation, interest and credit access; “company performance”, which covers demand, productive capacity, employment and profit margin; and “social aspect”, including wages, poverty and violence.
*Translated by Mark Ament
