Main findings from the ECB’s recent contacts with non-financial companies

Catherine Elding, Friderike Kuik, Aidan Meyler and Richard Morris

Economic Bulletin Boxes, 2026, vol. 3

Abstract: This box summarises the main findings from recent contacts between ECB staff and representatives of 67 leading non-financial companies operating in the euro area. According to these exchanges, which mainly took place between 23 March and 1 April 2026, there had been good business momentum in the first quarter, with few signs as yet of demand reacting to the latest war in the Middle East. The war was, however, already pushing some costs and prices higher, particularly for fuel, logistics, chemicals, plastics, paper and packaging. Concerns centred on the impact that the conflict was having on consumer confidence and the risk that a protracted conflict could induce global supply chain disruption due to shortages of oil and oil-based products, pushing prices higher and dampening activity later in the year. JEL Classification: E2, E3, L2

Keywords: activity; business; prices; survey (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026-05
Note: 2322645
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