Confidence among commercial entrepreneurs showed a slight increase of 0.5% in March, compared to the same period last year, says CNC

The survey carried out between the 22nd and 31st of March, by the National Confederation of Commerce of Goods, Services and Tourism (CNC), with the participation of 164 companies from Amazonas, reveals that the confidence of commercial entrepreneurs showed a slight increase of 0. 5% compared to the same period last year, going from 111.0 (Apr/23) to 111.6 (Apr/24). The data was released by the Amazonas Commerce Federation (Fecomércio-AM),

The Commerce Entrepreneur Confidence Index (Icec) is composed of the Commerce Entrepreneur Current Conditions (Icaec), Commerce Entrepreneur Expectations (IEEC) and Commerce Entrepreneur Investment (Iiec) Indexes.

According to the economist and executive director of Fecomércio-AM, Igo Viana, there is a “research among company decision-makers who detects trends in corporate actions in the retail segments, such as the appetite to invest in stocks and in hiring employees. A powerful tool for retailers, manufacturers, consultancies and financial institutions, which can be widely used by the sector in its inventory and investment planning,” he explains.

According to the economist, despite the Icaec showing a significant drop (-8.9%) compared to April 2023, reinforcing that the current conditions of the sector and the economy are still challenging, the expectation for the Brazilian economy is optimistic for trade and commercial companies, according to the Ieec, which showed an increase of 7.2%.

The Iiec went from 102.5 (Apr/23) to 102.3 (Apr/24), remaining practically stable in relation to the same month of the previous year, demonstrating that commerce entrepreneurs maintained a stable level of investment compared to the previous year.

Below is the complete and individual analysis of each index:

1) Commercial Entrepreneur Current Conditions Index (ICAEC)

Composed of 3 items that compare the economic situation of the country, the sector in which it operates and the company itself in relation to the same period of the previous year, there was a drop of 8.9% (91.8 – Apr/23 to 83.6 – Apr /24).

This drop is the result of a combination of factors that affect the current conditions of the economy, the sector in which it operates and the commercial companies themselves.

Current Economic Conditions (CAE) = 72.4 (Apr/23) to 69.4 (Apr/24), drop of 4.2%

Current Trade Conditions (CAC) = 91.3 (Apr/23) to 80.1 (Apr/24), drop of 12.2%

Current Conditions of Commercial Companies (CAEC) = 111.7 (Apr/23) to 101.5 (Apr/24), drop of 9.1%

Brazilian Economy Expectations (EEB) = 124.7 (Apr/23) to 142.3 (Apr/24), increase of 14.1%;

Trade Expectations (EC) = 139.7 (Apr/23) to 149.1 (Apr/24), increase of 6.7%;

Expectation of Commercial Companies (EEC) = 152.2 (Apr/23) to 155.3 (Apr/24), increase of 2.0%;

2) Commerce Entrepreneur Expectation Index (IEEC)

Composed of 3 items that evaluate the same aspects, but in relation to the short-term future (6 months), it increased from 7.2% (138.9 – Apr/23) to 148.9 – Apr/24).

This result demonstrates the growing optimism of commercial entrepreneurs regarding the economic situation of the country, the sector and their own companies in the short-term future.

3) Commerce Entrepreneur Investment Index (IIEC)

Composed of 3 items that measure hiring expectations, level of investment need and stock situation, it went from 102.5 (Apr/23) to 102.3 (Apr/24), remaining practically stable in relation to the same month of previous year, indicating that commerce entrepreneurs maintained a relatively stable level of investment compared to the previous year.

Hiring expectations (IC) = 117.4 (Apr/23) to 115.5 (Apr/24), a drop of 1.6%;

Investment level (NIE) = 97.2 (Apr/23) to 96.3 (Apr/24), stable;

Stock situation (SAE) = 89.7 (Apr/23) to 90.4 (Apr/24), increase of 0.7%;

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