CCLEI: Economic activity continues to recover, while uncertainty remains

The Cyprus Composite Leading Economic Index (CCLEI) recorded a year-over-year increase of 14.0% in November 2021, reaching a level of 112.7, after year-over-year increases of 13.9% in October and 13.4% in September.

The Index is compiled by Economics Research Centre of the University of Cyprus in cooperation with the Hellenic Bank.

According to a Hellenic Bank’s press release, the positive year-over-year growth rate of the CCLEI in November 2021 reflects the steady recovery of Cypriot economic activity. Nevertheless, the uncertain development of the COVID-19 pandemic and all the interrelated restrictive measures to prevent it, affect the short-term growth prospects of the economy.

The estimated upward trend of the year-over-year growth rate of the CCLEI is steady in November 2021. The Economic Sentiment Indicators (ESI) in Cyprus and the euro area contribute to the positive year-over-year performance of the CCLEI in November 2021, due to the strengthening of the confidence in all business sectors, and especially in the services sector.

According to preliminary data in November, a positive effect on the CCLEI and domestic economic activity is also still exerted by tourist arrivals, as well as the volume of retail sales. The total number of property sales contracts in November 2021 also contributes to the positive year-over-year performance of the CCLEI. The same applies to credit card transactions, although their positive year-over-year growth rate in recent months may be due, in part, to the recent decree of mandatory use of credit cards in the services and retail sectors. In contrast, the temperature-adjusted volume of electricity production, as well as the year-over-year increase in the Brent crude oil price in November 2021 compared to November 2020, restraint the year-over-year growth of the Index in November.