According to the Companies Survey for the first quarter of 2016, the weighted net balance is close to zero (Figure 1 and Table 1), indicating that business sector activity has returned to moderate expansion following a slight acceleration in the previous quarter. With that, there is marked variance between the industries, with negative net balances in the trade and services industries, positive net balances in the construction, and transport and communication industries, and no change in the level of activity in the manufacturing and hotels industries. There is also variance between the industries in expectations for the next quarter. The expectations for the next quarter are positive in the trade and construction industries and stable in the manufacturing and service industries, while companies in the hotels and transport and communication industries expect a contraction of activity.
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