KYIV, May 19 – Business expectations have improved among Ukrainian businesses across the board in April as the country has been emerging from COVID-19 pandemic with the government gradually lifting lockdown orders.

The Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) rose 9.4 points on the month to 77.2 in April, according to the survey conducted by Info Sapiens. The values of indices can vary from 0 to 200, with levels below 100 indicating pessimistic trends are still prevailing.

"The positive trend of consumer confidence corresponds to the improvement of the business expectations… It is also important to note that the positive dynamics may be enhanced by changing the survey method: in April, due to the lockdown the survey was conducted by telephone, but this method attracts a bigger share of wealthy population compared to face-to-face interviews," Info Sapiens said on its website on Wednesday.

According to the survey, Index of the Current Situation (ICS) have not changed significantly and equals 60.0, which is 1.1 p. higher than in March. The components of this index have changed as follows: Index of Current Personal Financial Standing equals 55.3, which is 0.6 points higher than the indicator in March; Index of Propensity to Consume increased by 1.7 p. to the level 64.8.

In April, Index of Economic Expectations (IEE) have increased and equals 88.6. The components of this index have changed as follows: Index of Expected Changes in Personal Financial Standing equals 92.2 which is 13.0 points higher that the level of this indicator in March; Index of Expectations of the Country's Economic Development Over the Next Year equals 71.0 which is 10.5 points higher that the level of this indicator in March; Index of Expectations of the Country's Economic Development over the Next 5 Years increased by 21.0 points compared to last month and equals 102.5.

In April, the indicator of Index of Expectations of Changes in Unemployment is stable on the level of 148.6. Index of Inflationary Expectations slightly decreased and equals 185.1.

Expectations of Ukrainians regarding the hryvna's exchange rate in the coming three months have worsened: Index of Devaluation Expectations increased by 10.9 p. and equals 145.3. (om/ez)