Singapore services sector's business sentiment improves for next 6 months

BUSINESS sentiment in Singapore's services sector for the next six months has improved, based on data from the Department of Statistics Singapore.

A net weighted balance of one per cent of firms in the services sector expects less favourable business conditions for the April to September 2017 period, compared to a net weighted balance of negative 14 per cent for the January to June 2017 period.

A weighted 14 per cent of firms are optimistic about business conditions for the period of April to September 2017, while 15 per cent of firms foresee slower business. The majority of firms - a weighted 71 per cent - anticipate the same level of business activity.

The information & communications and wholesale trade industries are the most optimistic, while retail trade and food & beverage services are the least optimistic in the sector.

The services sector also expects operating receipts to remain at a similar level for the second quarter of 2017 over the previous quarter.