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The results of the Inflation Expectation Survey are provided in a quarterly report that is accompanied by an excel file containing the historic survey data.
The Absa Manufacturing Survey is a brisk quarterly report on the results and implications of the latest BER survey of manufacturing firms.
A brisk quarterly report on the results, as well as implications, of the latest BER survey in the trade sectors.
The BER Other Services Survey provides the latest trends and outlook for hotels, restaurants, transport, real estate and business services.
FNB/BER Building Confidence Index remained relatively stable in 2025Q1, gaining one point to record a level of 41. The results were mixed in terms of activity but, overall, reflected a sector which saw a slight worsening in current work. Near-term prospects for work, however, are encouraging from both contactors’ own expectation and also from the better activity reported by architects which reflects the building pipeline.
Read MoreAfter increasing to an eight-year high of 50 in 2024Q3, the FNB/BER Civil Confidence Index slipped to 48 in 2024Q4. Sentiment was lower amid renewed weakness in activity growth. However, an improvement in overall profitability partly counteracted this.
Read MoreThe FNB/BER Building Confidence Index was unchanged at 40 in 2024Q4. The stable sentiment reading masks a noticeable improvement in conditions among main contractors with respect to activity, employment and overall profitability. However, looking ahead, still weak order books suggest that further growth could be limited.
Read MoreAfter slipping to 44 in 2024Q2, the FNB/BER Civil Confidence Index reached an eight-year high of 50 in 2024Q3. While sentiment increased, the momentum in activity eased somewhat, albeit still above the long-term average.
Read MoreFollowing an eight-index point rise to 35 in 2024Q2, the FNB/BER Building Confidence Index increased further to 40 in 2024Q3. The residential building sector continued to underperform this quarter, while work for non-residential builders showed a noticeable improvement. Activity at the start of the building pipeline was also encouraging.
Read MoreThe FNB/BER Civil Confidence Index reached an almost eight-year high of 47 in 2024Q1. In 2024Q2, sentiment edged lower to 44. The slight deterioration in the business mood mimics the slowdown in activity. Nonetheless, the activity growth indicator is still well above its long-term average.
Read MoreFollowing a fall to 27 in 2024Q1, the FNB/BER Building Confidence Index, which measures sentiment in the building sector, registered a marked improvement to 35 in 2024Q2. This improvement was supported by increased activity and sales, particularly among hardware retailers. Even building material production saw some improvement, despite unchanged sentiment among manufacturers.
Read MoreWork for civil contractors continued on its upward trajectory in 2024Q1, also lifting overall profitability with further improvements is predicted in 2024Q2. In all, the increase in the FNB/BER Civil Confidence Index to an almost eight-year high of 47 this quarter, from 41 in 2023Q4, is explained by the better underlying business environment.
Read MoreAfter rising to an eight-year high in 2023Q4, the FNB/BER Building Confidence Index fell sharply to 27 in 2024Q1. The decline was broad-based with four of the six sectors recording a fall in sentiment in excess of 20 points. The current level of the index therefore means that more than 70% of respondents are dissatisfied with prevailing business conditions.
Read MoreAfter gaining two points in 2023Q3, the FNB/BER Civil Confidence Index reverted back to the level of 41 in 2023Q4. The current reading means that almost 60% of respondents are dissatisfied with prevailing business conditions. The sub-indices, however, especially growth in activity and overall profitability, were more upbeat than in 2023Q3.
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