DATEV MITTELSTANDSINDEX
A lost year for small and medium-sized businesses
The DATEV SME Index for sales declined significantly in December compared to the same month last year. The seasonally and calendar-adjusted decline was 1.6 percent.
With the exception of the construction industry, all sectors are affected by this development. The retail sector also failed to see the usual upturn in December associated with the Christmas shopping season. Seasonally adjusted sales in the retail sector were down 1.3 percent compared to the previous year. In terms of company size, micro and small businesses in particular recorded significant declines in sales. Medium-sized companies also reported declining sales.
Compared to the previous month, the DATEV SME Index for sales fell by 2.2 points to 89.9 points in December, adjusted for seasonal and calendar effects. Unadjusted, the index stands at 105.0 points.
The economic situation for SMEs therefore remains tense overall. The decline in sales at the end of the year is affecting all sectors and company sizes.
The wage index rose by 0.4 points to 116.8 points in December compared with the previous month, adjusted for seasonal and calendar effects. Compared with the same month last year, wages and salaries rose by 3.8 percent. This means that wage and salary growth continues to outpace general price inflation.
The employment index fell slightly in December to 100.8 points after seasonal and calendar adjustments. Compared to the same month last year, this represents a decline of 1.1 percent. Employment trends vary across sectors and company sizes, but as in previous months, the manufacturing and hospitality industries have been particularly hard hit.
