In the seasonally-adjusted series, the services sector changed 0.1% in October against the previous month. In the seasonally-unadjusted series, services rose 1.5% in relation to October 2017. The cumulative index in the year stayed at -0.2%. The cumulative rate in 12 months registered the same percentage (-0.2%), the 41st consecutive negative rate in this comparison.

The change of 0.1% between September and October was followed by two out of the five activities surveyed, highlighted by the sector of other services. Having advanced 5.5% this month, it offset the loss of 3.9% recorded in September and hit the most intense rate since May 2017 (8.5%). The other positive result came from information and communication services (0.5%). Having posted the second positive rate in a row, it accrued a gain of 1.1% in this period.

On the other hand, professional, administrative and complementary services (-1.9%) exerted the most significant negative influence this month, whose retreat of 2.9% in the September-October period offset the advance registered in August (2.7%). Also reported negative rates in October: services rendered to families (-1.0%), whose result returned part of the growth of 1.4% recorded in September; and transportation, support activities for transportation and mailing (-0.2%), which posted the second consecutive negative rate, accruing a loss of 1.9% in this period, though not enough to offset the increase in August (2.7%).

Still in the seasonally-adjusted series, the quarterly moving average of services changed 0.4% in the quarter ended in October 2018 against the previous month, after declining 0.3% in the quarter ended in September. Among the sectors, that of other services (0.8%) registered the most intense expansion this month, after declining 2.0% in September. The other positive figures came from transportation, support services for transportation and mailing, and information and communication services, both recording 0.2% in October. On the other hand, services rendered to families (-0.1%) and professional, administrative and complementary services
(-0.1%) posted the negative changes in this comparison, both of them interrupting upward trends, started in June and July 2018, respectively.

Having advanced in fours out of the five activities and in 48.8% of the 166 types of services surveyed, the services sector increased 1.5% in relation to October 2017. The following activities exerted the major positive contributions on the overall index: transportation, support services for transportation and mailing (2.3%) – leveraged, above all, by the increase in revenue from road transportation of cargo, air transportation of passengers and airport operation – and information and communication services (1.5%), mainly influenced by the growth in the revenue in the areas of consulting in information technology, portals, content providers and other information services on the Internet, data treatment, providers of application and hosting services on the Internet and telecommunications.

The other positive figures came from services rendered to families (2.0%) and other services (2.5%), mainly explained by the increase in the revenue from enterprises in the hotel sector and catering and other services of prepared food, in the former sector; and administration of stock exchange and counter market, and activities of fund administration through contract or commission, in the latter. 

Conversely, the only negative influence this month was the sector of professional, administrative and complementary services (-0.2%), pressed, to a large extent, by the drop in the revenue of charging activities and registry information, cash transportation, engineering services, advisory and technical consultation in professional areas, and surveillance activities and private security.

In the cumulative index in the year, over the same period in the previous year, the services sector negatively changed 0.2%, with a retreat in three out of the five activities and in 56.6% of the 166 types of services surveyed. Among the sectors, professional, administrative and complementary services (-1.7%) and information and communication (-0.9%) exerted the main negative impact on the overall index.

Conversely, the positive contributions in the cumulative index in the year came from the segments of transportation, support services for transportation and mailing (1.4%) and other services (1.6%).

Among 27 FUs, 11 rise against September

In the seasonally-adjusted series, 11 out of the 27 Federation Units expanded between September and October, following the change of 0.1% in Brazil. The stability registered in São Paulo (0.0%) and Rio de Janeiro (0.0%) were determinant to the formation of the national index, since they, together, represented about 57% of the total volume of services. Among the places that recorded positive rates, the highlights were Paraná (2,4%) e Rio Grande do Sul (1,7%). On the other hand, Bahia (-2.8%) recorded the major negative influence.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

In relation to October 2017, the expansion of volume of services in Brazil (1.5%) was followed by 15 out of the 27 Federation Units. The major positive influence was São Paulo (4.4%), with an advance in the five activities surveyed, highlighted by information and communication services (8.2%), followed by professional, administrative and complementary services (1.9%) and other services (7.2%).

The most relevant negative influence came from Rio de Janeiro (-5.4%), with a retreat in three out of the five sectors surveyed, highlighted by the losses reported in information and communication services (-15.9%).

Compared with the same period last year, the cumulative index in the year fell in 22 out of the 27 Federation Units. The major negative impacts in regional terms took place in Rio de Janeiro (-2.2%), Ceará (-7.7%), Bahia (-3.4%) and Paraná (-1.9%). Conversely, São Paulo (1.7%) recorded the most relevant positive contribution on the overall index.

Tourism activities change -0.9% over September

The index of tourism activities changed -0.9% between September and October, second consecutive negative rate in this type of comparison, a period in which it accrued a loss of 1.2%. Nine out of 12 Federation Units surveyed followed this drop, highlighted by São Paulo (-1.1%) and Rio Grande do Sul (-3.8%). Conversely, the most relevant positive contribution came from Rio de Janeiro (1.6%).

In relation to October 2017, volume of tourism activities in Brazil rose 5.4%, mainly leveraged by the increase in the revenue of the enterprises of air transportation of passengers, hotels, car rental and catering services and other services of prepared food. On the other hand, the segment of restaurants exerted the most significant negative influence on the tourism services.

Nine out of the 12 Federation Units in which the tourism activities are surveyed advanced, highlighted by São Paulo (10.5%), that reported the eighth positive rate in a row. Other relevant positive contributions came from Ceará (16.4%) and Pernambuco (4.7%). Conversely, the only negative impact came from Paraná (-6.4%) and Rio Grande do Sul (-3.1%). Whereas Rio de Janeiro (0.0%) remained stable.

In the cumulative index in the year, the special aggregate of tourism activities rose 1.8% against the same period in 2017, leveraged, above all, by the sectors of hotels, air transportation of passengers and car rental. On the other hand, the major negative impact remained with the sector of restaurants. Eight out of the 12 places surveyed also registered positive rates, highlighted by São Paulo (4.8%), followed by Pernambuco (5.3%), Santa Catarina (4.6%) and Minas Gerais (1.9%). Conversely, Rio de Janeiro (-4.2%) and Paraná (-5.2%) reported the major negative influences.