The Banco de España Business Activity Survey: 2023 Q4

Abstract

Rationale The Banco de España Business Activity Survey (EBAE) provides real-time information on a broad sample of Spanish firms’ turnover, employment and costs and prices. This is particularly helpful for diagnosing current economic developments. Takeaways •Firms reported no change in their turnover in 2023 Q4, after it decreased in Q3, and perceived a fall in employment. •Inflationary pressures on production costs and selling prices are reported to have softened somewhat, but expectations suggest that they will increase slightly next year. •Business activity has been affected by growing economic policy uncertainty, labour shortages and an increase in factors related to the tightening of financing conditions (difficulties in accessing finance and higher financial costs).