Russian businesses expect higher fourth-quarter investment, central bank survey shows

Russian companies' fourth-quarter investment expectations rose to their highest level in three quarters, the Bank of Russia reported on October 14. Respondents anticipate increased spending compared with July–September.

Companies in most industries expected investment to increase. Retail and wholesale trade, construction and mining were the exceptions.

Respondents estimated that actual investment activity in the third quarter remained at the second quarter's level. The anticipated year-end increase therefore represents business plans rather than completed spending.

Staffing availability gradually improved in the third quarter, but a significant group of companies remained understaffed. Businesses raised their hiring plans for the fourth quarter.

The monitoring report draws on a survey of 11,500 non-financial enterprises conducted from October 1 to October 8.