SME receipts diffusion index dips to 29.9 for February

The logistics and real estate sectors saw the most dips at 20 and 25.9, respectively.

Business receipts took a dive as the current diffusion index (DI) on those amongst small-medium enterprises (SME) dipped to 29.9 from the previous month’s 37.8.

All surveyed sectors also dipped, with both logistics and real estate showing the biggest decreases at 20 from 41.7 and 25.9 from 41.8, respectively.

The DI for the import and export trades also slid by 44 in January to 40.2 in February, with the outlook for March showing a slight increase to 42.8.

According to a statement by a government spokesman, this is reflective of the current business sentiment amongst SMEs, as the outlook further weakened due to the local epidemic. The current index was also reported to be at its lowest level since early 2020, with the recent escalation of tensions in Europe also reported to lower the outlook.