Economic Situation Remains Strained. Results of the WIFO-Konjunkturtest (Business Cycle Survey) of January 2021

The second COVID-19 wave is keeping the Austrian economy in its grip. The mood among Austrian companies remains tense. The WIFO business climate index fell to –11.4 points in January 2021, after –11.0 points in December of the previous year. Assessments of the current situation remain sceptical; companies' expectations are also somewhat more pessimistic than in December. The majority of companies still expect the COVID-19 crisis to shape the business situation in the coming months.