In April, for the first time in the year, the services sector grew against the previous month, reaching 1.0% in relation to March (seasonally-adjusted series), the volume of services grew 2.2% - the highest rate since March 2015 (2.3%). As a result, the cumulative index of the year was at -0.6% and the cumulative in 12 months, at -1.4% - the lowest negative rate since August 2015 (-1.2%).

Growth took place in four of the five activities investigated, especially in transportation, support services to transportation and mailing (1.2%) and professional, administrative and complementary services (1.7%). The other positive results came from services rendered to families (1.5%) and other services (0.7%). On the other hand, the only negative impact came from information and communication services (-1.1%). Tourist activities rose 3.3% from March to April. The PMS support material is on the right of this page.

Also in the seasonally adjusted series, the quarterly moving average index for the volume of services increased 0.3% in the quarter ended in April 2018 compared to the previous month, reversing, thus, the negative behavior of February (-0.2%) and March (-0.7%).

Among the sectors, still in relation to the movement of this index on the margin, services rendered to families (1.1%) and professional, administrative and complementary services (0.7%) showed the most significant advances this month. The sector of transportation, support services to transportation and mailing activities changed 0.1% and two activities showed stability in April: other services (0.0%) and information and communication services (0.0%).

In relation to April 2017, the volume of the services sector grew 2.2%, with positive results in four of the five activities and in 54.2% of the 166 types of services investigated. Among the activities transportation, support services to transportation and mailing activities (4.4%) had the main positive impact, driven mainly by the increase in the revenue from road freight, passenger transportation, air transportation, mail and airports. The other advances came from other services (11.4%), professional, administrative and complementary services (2.7%) and services rendered to families (0.8%). On the other hand, the only activity that fell was information and communication services (-1.6%), pressured, largely, by the lower real revenues of telecommunications.

The cumulative index of the year fell by 0.6%, with negative rates in three of the five activities and in 56.0% of the 166 types of services investigated. Among activities, information and communication services (-3.2%) had the main negative impact, pressured, largely, by the retraction in the revenues of the telecommunication segments, and information technology consulting. The other negative influences came from professional, administrative and complementary services (-1.2%) and services rendered to families (-1.6%). In contrast, the positive impacts were with transportation, support services to transportation and mailing activities (1.9%) and other services (4.1%). 

REGIONAL RESULTS

Regionally, between March and April (seasonally-adjusted series), there were increases in 11 of the 27 states. The positive highlights were São Paulo (1.7%) and Rio Grande do Sul (5.7%). On the other hand, the main negative influences came from Bahia (-5.5%) and Paraná (-2.1%). 

In relation to April 2017, volume expansion in Brazil (2.2%) took place in 12 of the 27 Federation Units. São Paulo (5.1%) had the main positive impact and reached the highest rate since March 2015 (5.4%). Other relevant contributions came from Rio Grande do Sul (6.8%), the Federal District (5.3%) and Espírito Santo (9.6%). On the other hand, the most important setbacks came from Bahia (-11.2%) and Rio de Janeiro (-1.1%). 

SPECIAL AGGREGATE OF TOURISM ACTIVITIES

The index of tourism activities increased by 3.3% between March and April 2018, the second positive rate. Regionally, there were increases in seven of the 12 Federation Units, with a highlight to São Paulo (5.3%). Other positive impacts came from Bahia (3.0%), Minas Gerais (2.5%) and Rio Grande do Sul (3.7%). Rio de Janeiro (-2.0%) showed the main drop. 

In relation to April 2017, the volume of tourist activities in Brazil grew by 2.2%, mainly driven by the increase in hotel and air transportation services. On the other hand, restaurants had the most important negative influence on tourist services. National tourism continues to grow after 14 negative rates and one stable one and its result this month is the highest since September 2014 (3.7%).

In nine of the 12 states where the indicator is investigated there were highs, with a highlight to São Paulo (3.0%). Other positive contributions came from Santa Catarina (10.5%), Minas Gerais (5.9%), Rio Grande do Sul (5.8%) and Espírito Santo (17.4%). Conversely, the most important negative impact was Rio de Janeiro (-6.0%), with its 24th consecutive negative rate.