Economic information that works for you IndicesBusiness Confidence IndexConsumer Confidence IndexBuilding Confidence IndexCivil Confidence IndexPurchasing Managers' IndexFinancial Services IndexBuilding Cost IndexMethod: Building cost index RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (Archive) The BER takes the percentage of respondents that rates prevailing conditions as satisfactory as indicator or proxy of business confidence. The composite RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI) is the unweighted mean of five sectoral indices, namely that of manufactures, building contractors, retailers, wholesalers and new vehicle dealers. Business confidence can vary between 0 and 100, where 0 indicates an extreme lack of confidence, 50 neutrality and 100 extreme confidence. Click here for more information on how the BER’s business surveys are conducted. 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (History Data), 2018 Last updated: Nov 27 2018 10:56AM After falling from 40 to 34 in the third quarter, the RMB/BER BCI deteriorated marginally further to 31 in the last quarter of 2018. (In addition to the survey results for the fourth quarter, this release also incorporates the outcome of a revision of the read moreAfter falling from 40 to 34 in the third quarter, the RMB/BER BCI deteriorated marginally further to 31 in the last quarter of 2018. (In addition to the survey results for the fourth quarter, this release also incorporates the outcome of a revision of the surveys. Previously, the BCI had a reading of 39 in the second quarter and 38 in the third quarter of 2018.) Even though improvements have been modest, it’s nonetheless encouraging to see confidence having risen in three out of the five sectors surveyed. In fact, if it wasn’t for the unusually large drop in new vehicle dealer confidence, the RMB/BER BCI would have risen for the first time in almost a year. Yet, concerns continue to linger; in aggregate, seven out of every 10 respondents remain unhappy with prevailing business conditions, while confidence continues to track below the neutral-50 mark in all the sectors. RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (Sectoral and Provincial), 2018 - Quarter 4 - Excel Last updated: Nov 27 2018 10:55AM After falling from 40 to 34 in the third quarter, the RMB/BER BCI deteriorated marginally further to 31 in the last quarter of 2018. (In addition to the survey results for the fourth quarter, this release also incorporates the outcome of a revision of the read moreAfter falling from 40 to 34 in the third quarter, the RMB/BER BCI deteriorated marginally further to 31 in the last quarter of 2018. (In addition to the survey results for the fourth quarter, this release also incorporates the outcome of a revision of the surveys. Previously, the BCI had a reading of 39 in the second quarter and 38 in the third quarter of 2018.) Even though improvements have been modest, it’s nonetheless encouraging to see confidence having risen in three out of the five sectors surveyed. In fact, if it wasn’t for the unusually large drop in new vehicle dealer confidence, the RMB/BER BCI would have risen for the first time in almost a year. Yet, concerns continue to linger; in aggregate, seven out of every 10 respondents remain unhappy with prevailing business conditions, while confidence continues to track below the neutral-50 mark in all the sectors. RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (Sectoral and Provincial), 2018 - Quarter 4 - PDF Last updated: Nov 27 2018 10:55AM After falling from 40 to 34 in the third quarter, the RMB/BER BCI deteriorated marginally further to 31 in the last quarter of 2018. (In addition to the survey results for the fourth quarter, this release also incorporates the outcome of a revision of the read moreAfter falling from 40 to 34 in the third quarter, the RMB/BER BCI deteriorated marginally further to 31 in the last quarter of 2018. (In addition to the survey results for the fourth quarter, this release also incorporates the outcome of a revision of the surveys. Previously, the BCI had a reading of 39 in the second quarter and 38 in the third quarter of 2018.) Even though improvements have been modest, it’s nonetheless encouraging to see confidence having risen in three out of the five sectors surveyed. In fact, if it wasn’t for the unusually large drop in new vehicle dealer confidence, the RMB/BER BCI would have risen for the first time in almost a year. Yet, concerns continue to linger; in aggregate, seven out of every 10 respondents remain unhappy with prevailing business conditions, while confidence continues to track below the neutral-50 mark in all the sectors. RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (Sectoral and Provincial), 2018 - Quarter 3 - Excel Last updated: Sep 11 2018 11:04AM Following a new president inspired jump in the RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI) to 45 in the first quarter, sentiment fell back to 39 in the second quarter and 38 in the third quarter. Although confidence rose marginally in two of the five sectors read moreFollowing a new president inspired jump in the RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI) to 45 in the first quarter, sentiment fell back to 39 in the second quarter and 38 in the third quarter. Although confidence rose marginally in two of the five sectors covered in the survey, not a single sector in the third quarter had a number above the neutral level of 50 – an infrequent and worrying development. RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (Sectoral and Provincial), 2018 - Quarter 3 - PDF Last updated: Sep 11 2018 11:05AM Following a new president inspired jump in the RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI) to 45 in the first quarter, sentiment fell back to 39 in the second quarter and 38 in the third quarter. Although confidence rose marginally in two of the five sectors read moreFollowing a new president inspired jump in the RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI) to 45 in the first quarter, sentiment fell back to 39 in the second quarter and 38 in the third quarter. Although confidence rose marginally in two of the five sectors covered in the survey, not a single sector in the third quarter had a number above the neutral level of 50 – an infrequent and worrying development. RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (Sectoral and Provincial), 2018 - Quarter 2 - Excel Last updated: Jun 13 2018 10:10AM After surging from 34 to 45 in the first quarter, the RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI) deteriorated to 39 in the second quarter of 2018. This means that close to three fifths of respondents now regard prevailing business conditions as unsatisfactory – read moreAfter surging from 34 to 45 in the first quarter, the RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI) deteriorated to 39 in the second quarter of 2018. This means that close to three fifths of respondents now regard prevailing business conditions as unsatisfactory – a disappointing outcome, yet probably an accurate reflection of reality. RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (Sectoral and Provincial), 2018 - Quarter 2 - PDF Last updated: Jun 13 2018 10:09AM After surging from 34 to 45 in the first quarter, the RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI) deteriorated to 39 in the second quarter of 2018. This means that close to three fifths of respondents now regard prevailing business conditions as unsatisfactory – read moreAfter surging from 34 to 45 in the first quarter, the RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI) deteriorated to 39 in the second quarter of 2018. This means that close to three fifths of respondents now regard prevailing business conditions as unsatisfactory – a disappointing outcome, yet probably an accurate reflection of reality. RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (Sectoral and Provincial), 2018 - Quarter 1 - Excel Last updated: Mar 14 2018 11:55AM The RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI) jumped by 11 points from 34 in the fourth quarter of 2017 to 45 in the first quarter of 2018. An increase of such magnitude is rare: since 1975, the BCI rose by 11 points or more on only 15 occasions. If sustained, read moreThe RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI) jumped by 11 points from 34 in the fourth quarter of 2017 to 45 in the first quarter of 2018. An increase of such magnitude is rare: since 1975, the BCI rose by 11 points or more on only 15 occasions. If sustained, the first quarter rise implies a much-improved economic growth performance this year and next, relative to 2017’s 1.3% GDP expansion. RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (Sectoral and Provincial), 2018 - Quarter 1 - PDF Last updated: Mar 14 2018 11:54AM The RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI) jumped by 11 points from 34 in the fourth quarter of 2017 to 45 in the first quarter of 2018. An increase of such magnitude is rare: since 1975, the BCI rose by 11 points or more on only 15 occasions. If sustained, read moreThe RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI) jumped by 11 points from 34 in the fourth quarter of 2017 to 45 in the first quarter of 2018. An increase of such magnitude is rare: since 1975, the BCI rose by 11 points or more on only 15 occasions. If sustained, the first quarter rise implies a much-improved economic growth performance this year and next, relative to 2017’s 1.3% GDP expansion.
RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (Archive) The BER takes the percentage of respondents that rates prevailing conditions as satisfactory as indicator or proxy of business confidence. The composite RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI) is the unweighted mean of five sectoral indices, namely that of manufactures, building contractors, retailers, wholesalers and new vehicle dealers. Business confidence can vary between 0 and 100, where 0 indicates an extreme lack of confidence, 50 neutrality and 100 extreme confidence. Click here for more information on how the BER’s business surveys are conducted. 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (History Data), 2018 Last updated: Nov 27 2018 10:56AM After falling from 40 to 34 in the third quarter, the RMB/BER BCI deteriorated marginally further to 31 in the last quarter of 2018. (In addition to the survey results for the fourth quarter, this release also incorporates the outcome of a revision of the read moreAfter falling from 40 to 34 in the third quarter, the RMB/BER BCI deteriorated marginally further to 31 in the last quarter of 2018. (In addition to the survey results for the fourth quarter, this release also incorporates the outcome of a revision of the surveys. Previously, the BCI had a reading of 39 in the second quarter and 38 in the third quarter of 2018.) Even though improvements have been modest, it’s nonetheless encouraging to see confidence having risen in three out of the five sectors surveyed. In fact, if it wasn’t for the unusually large drop in new vehicle dealer confidence, the RMB/BER BCI would have risen for the first time in almost a year. Yet, concerns continue to linger; in aggregate, seven out of every 10 respondents remain unhappy with prevailing business conditions, while confidence continues to track below the neutral-50 mark in all the sectors. RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (Sectoral and Provincial), 2018 - Quarter 4 - Excel Last updated: Nov 27 2018 10:55AM After falling from 40 to 34 in the third quarter, the RMB/BER BCI deteriorated marginally further to 31 in the last quarter of 2018. (In addition to the survey results for the fourth quarter, this release also incorporates the outcome of a revision of the read moreAfter falling from 40 to 34 in the third quarter, the RMB/BER BCI deteriorated marginally further to 31 in the last quarter of 2018. (In addition to the survey results for the fourth quarter, this release also incorporates the outcome of a revision of the surveys. Previously, the BCI had a reading of 39 in the second quarter and 38 in the third quarter of 2018.) Even though improvements have been modest, it’s nonetheless encouraging to see confidence having risen in three out of the five sectors surveyed. In fact, if it wasn’t for the unusually large drop in new vehicle dealer confidence, the RMB/BER BCI would have risen for the first time in almost a year. Yet, concerns continue to linger; in aggregate, seven out of every 10 respondents remain unhappy with prevailing business conditions, while confidence continues to track below the neutral-50 mark in all the sectors. RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (Sectoral and Provincial), 2018 - Quarter 4 - PDF Last updated: Nov 27 2018 10:55AM After falling from 40 to 34 in the third quarter, the RMB/BER BCI deteriorated marginally further to 31 in the last quarter of 2018. (In addition to the survey results for the fourth quarter, this release also incorporates the outcome of a revision of the read moreAfter falling from 40 to 34 in the third quarter, the RMB/BER BCI deteriorated marginally further to 31 in the last quarter of 2018. (In addition to the survey results for the fourth quarter, this release also incorporates the outcome of a revision of the surveys. Previously, the BCI had a reading of 39 in the second quarter and 38 in the third quarter of 2018.) Even though improvements have been modest, it’s nonetheless encouraging to see confidence having risen in three out of the five sectors surveyed. In fact, if it wasn’t for the unusually large drop in new vehicle dealer confidence, the RMB/BER BCI would have risen for the first time in almost a year. Yet, concerns continue to linger; in aggregate, seven out of every 10 respondents remain unhappy with prevailing business conditions, while confidence continues to track below the neutral-50 mark in all the sectors. RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (Sectoral and Provincial), 2018 - Quarter 3 - Excel Last updated: Sep 11 2018 11:04AM Following a new president inspired jump in the RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI) to 45 in the first quarter, sentiment fell back to 39 in the second quarter and 38 in the third quarter. Although confidence rose marginally in two of the five sectors read moreFollowing a new president inspired jump in the RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI) to 45 in the first quarter, sentiment fell back to 39 in the second quarter and 38 in the third quarter. Although confidence rose marginally in two of the five sectors covered in the survey, not a single sector in the third quarter had a number above the neutral level of 50 – an infrequent and worrying development. RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (Sectoral and Provincial), 2018 - Quarter 3 - PDF Last updated: Sep 11 2018 11:05AM Following a new president inspired jump in the RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI) to 45 in the first quarter, sentiment fell back to 39 in the second quarter and 38 in the third quarter. Although confidence rose marginally in two of the five sectors read moreFollowing a new president inspired jump in the RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI) to 45 in the first quarter, sentiment fell back to 39 in the second quarter and 38 in the third quarter. Although confidence rose marginally in two of the five sectors covered in the survey, not a single sector in the third quarter had a number above the neutral level of 50 – an infrequent and worrying development. RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (Sectoral and Provincial), 2018 - Quarter 2 - Excel Last updated: Jun 13 2018 10:10AM After surging from 34 to 45 in the first quarter, the RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI) deteriorated to 39 in the second quarter of 2018. This means that close to three fifths of respondents now regard prevailing business conditions as unsatisfactory – read moreAfter surging from 34 to 45 in the first quarter, the RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI) deteriorated to 39 in the second quarter of 2018. This means that close to three fifths of respondents now regard prevailing business conditions as unsatisfactory – a disappointing outcome, yet probably an accurate reflection of reality. RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (Sectoral and Provincial), 2018 - Quarter 2 - PDF Last updated: Jun 13 2018 10:09AM After surging from 34 to 45 in the first quarter, the RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI) deteriorated to 39 in the second quarter of 2018. This means that close to three fifths of respondents now regard prevailing business conditions as unsatisfactory – read moreAfter surging from 34 to 45 in the first quarter, the RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI) deteriorated to 39 in the second quarter of 2018. This means that close to three fifths of respondents now regard prevailing business conditions as unsatisfactory – a disappointing outcome, yet probably an accurate reflection of reality. RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (Sectoral and Provincial), 2018 - Quarter 1 - Excel Last updated: Mar 14 2018 11:55AM The RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI) jumped by 11 points from 34 in the fourth quarter of 2017 to 45 in the first quarter of 2018. An increase of such magnitude is rare: since 1975, the BCI rose by 11 points or more on only 15 occasions. If sustained, read moreThe RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI) jumped by 11 points from 34 in the fourth quarter of 2017 to 45 in the first quarter of 2018. An increase of such magnitude is rare: since 1975, the BCI rose by 11 points or more on only 15 occasions. If sustained, the first quarter rise implies a much-improved economic growth performance this year and next, relative to 2017’s 1.3% GDP expansion. RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (Sectoral and Provincial), 2018 - Quarter 1 - PDF Last updated: Mar 14 2018 11:54AM The RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI) jumped by 11 points from 34 in the fourth quarter of 2017 to 45 in the first quarter of 2018. An increase of such magnitude is rare: since 1975, the BCI rose by 11 points or more on only 15 occasions. If sustained, read moreThe RMB/BER Business Confidence Index (BCI) jumped by 11 points from 34 in the fourth quarter of 2017 to 45 in the first quarter of 2018. An increase of such magnitude is rare: since 1975, the BCI rose by 11 points or more on only 15 occasions. If sustained, the first quarter rise implies a much-improved economic growth performance this year and next, relative to 2017’s 1.3% GDP expansion.