The first quarter of 2022 was positive for micro and small industries, reveals a survey by the National Confederation of Industry (CNI) released this week. Mondaythursday (2). The Small Industry Outlook indicates an improvement in the Performance Index, which recorded the best average (45.5 points) in the first quarter of the year since 2012. In the first quarter of 2021, the index stood at 43.9 points.
In January, the Performance Indicator of small industries registered 43.3 points, a result below the historical average (43.5 points), however, in the following months, the performance improved. In the transition to February, the index grew 1.8 points and, in March, 2.9 points more.
The Small Industry Outlook brings together four indicators: performance, financial situation, outlook and confidence index. All indices range from 0 to 100 points. The higher it is, the better the performance of the sector.
The Financial Situation Index of small industries dropped to 41 points in the first quarter of 2022. In comparison with the fourth quarter of 2021, the indicator shows a drop of 1 point, that is, it reveals a worsening of the financial situation in the first quarter of 2022 Despite the drop, the index remains above its historical average (37.8 points).
According to CNI, the main problem for micro and small companies (MSEs) is the lack or high cost of raw materials. “Concerns about the lack and high cost of raw materials increased from the fourth quarter of 2021 to the first quarter of 2022, unlike what happened with larger companies. The performance of small industry in the quarter was positive, but this problem continues to hinder what could be a better result. The worsening of the financial situation is another reflection of this problem of inputs”, said the manager of Economic Analysis at CNI, Marcelo Azevedo.
The lack or high cost of raw material remained in the first place of the ranking of the main problems faced by MSEs in the extractive, manufacturing and construction industries. The high tax burden remained in the Monday position also for the three industrial segments.
Confidence
The Industrial Entrepreneur Confidence Index (ICEI) for small industries reached 56.4 points in April 2022, an increase of 5.1 points compared to the same month in 2021.
The Small Industry Prospects Index also pointed to favorable prospects for small industry entrepreneurs. The indicator increased by 0.6 point in April 2022, reaching 51.3 points. The quarter average was 3 points higher than the same period in 2021.
The Small Industry Outlook is released quarterly based on the analysis of small industry data collected from the Industrial Survey, the Construction Industry Survey and the ICEI. Every month, researchers hear from more than 900 small business entrepreneurs.
Article amended at 2:39 pm to add and clarify information.
