DATEV MITTELSTANDSINDEX
Sales Turn Negative Again in July
The DATEV SME Sales Index stood at 95.2 points in July, seasonally and calendar-adjusted, marking a 1.0 percent decline from the previous month. Compared to the same month last year, the seasonally and calendar-adjusted figure shows a 2.0 percent decline. As a result, following the increase in June, sales have slipped back below the previous year’s level. The weakness is particularly evident in the construction, retail, and manufacturing sectors. The hospitality industry, with a 5.9 percent increase, provides a clear counterbalance.
The wage index stood at 126.2 points in July, after seasonal and calendar adjustments. Compared with the previous month, it declined slightly by 0.3 percent; however, wages were 4.9 percent higher than in the same month a year ago. While the rate of growth has slowed compared with June, it remains significant across all sectors and states.
Employment in July was slightly below the previous year’s level. The seasonally and calendar-adjusted index stood at 100.9 points, down 0.2 percent from the previous month. Compared with the same month last year, there was also a 0.2 percent decline. While other services continued to exceed the previous year’s level, the manufacturing sector recorded the sharpest decline.
