The Economic Expectations Index (IEE) reached 56.2 points in July 2026, an increase of 3.0 points compared to June. The indicator has now posted six consecutive months above 50 points, the threshold that signals greater business confidence.

In July 2026, the Economic Expectations Index (IEE) stood at 56.2 points, representing an increase of 3.0 points compared to June. With this result, the overall indicator remained in the higher-confidence threshold for the sixth consecutive month. All four sectors analyzed recorded indices above 50 points: services, 60 points; trade, 53.7 points; construction, 53.1 points; and manufacturing, 51.8 points.

At 60 points, the services sector showed the highest level of expectations, up 4.5 points from June. This performance was mainly associated with tourism activity, reflected in stronger sales and billing momentum, amid a gradual normalization of economic activities and expectations linked to the start of the higher-education enrollment period.

Trade reached 53.7 points, a monthly increase of 4.2 points that returned it to the higher-confidence threshold. Among the factors favoring this result were the settlement of contracts linked to the public sector, early inventory buildup in anticipation of demand for the last quarter of the year, and sales of electric vehicles and power generation equipment.

Construction, meanwhile, recorded 53.1 points, despite a monthly decline of 4.4 points. Companies surveyed cited port infrastructure works, sales of housing units, and the administrative approval of overdue payment vouchers as supporting factors.

The manufacturing sector recorded 51.8 points, 1.5 points above the June figure and remaining in expansion territory. According to the companies surveyed, this performance was attributed to increased demand for textiles and printed materials linked to the school year in the Sierra region, greater momentum in maquila (contract manufacturing) services, and the start of the sugarcane harvest for sugar production.

The overall IEE is built from the Monthly Business Opinion Survey (EMOE) and captures the perception of executives from more than 1,700 companies regarding their current situation and outlook. The index is expressed on a scale of 0 to 100 points: values above 50 reflect greater confidence, while values below 50 indicate lower confidence.

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Strategic Communications Sub-Directorate – Directorate of Economic Studies and Statistics