The Industrial Business Confidence Index (Icei) grew 1.6 points in August this year, compared to the previous month. The increase came after two months of decline, according to data released this Monday (12), by the National Confederation of Industry (CNI).
The indicator rose from 50.1 points in July to 51.7 points in August, on a scale of zero to 100 points. According to the CNI, values below 50 points indicate a lack of business confidence and the lower the score, the greater and more widespread the confidence.
Despite the growth from July to August, the result is still below that recorded in August 2023 (53.2 points) and is the lowest level for the month of August since 2017.
According to the CNI, assessments of current conditions rose 2.8 points (from 44.4 in July to 47.2 in August). Businesspeople’s assessments of the Brazilian economy rose three points (from 37.6 to 40.6) in the period, while their perception of their own company rose 2.6 points (from 47.8 to 50.4).
Regarding expectations for the coming months, there was an increase of one point (from 52.9 to 53.9). Assessments regarding the economy rose two points (from 44.2 to 46.2) and the company’s situation grew by 0.6 points (from 57.2 to 57.8).
According to the CNI, growth from July to August was driven by the recent increase in industrial production, employment in the industry and revenue in the sector. Despite this, the interruption in cuts to the basic interest rate (Selic) and the recent fluctuation in the exchange rate still worry industrialists.
