April 18, 2024 06:24 GMT
Q1 Industry Survey Suggests H1 Growth Tailwind
NORWAY
Norwegian Q1 industrial confidence was neutral (i.e. 0.0) in Q1 ’24, after an upwardly revised -4.3 prior. The indicator thus remains below the historical average of 2.9.
- There are notable sectoral differences within Stats Norway's Industry survey, but the generally outlook for Q2 is positive in the manufacturing sector.
- Overall, the positive Q1 performance and Q2 outlook for capital goods businesses should provide a tailwind to GDP growth in the first half of ’24.
- Capital goods producers (dominated by businesses in the oil industry) expect a rise in production in Q2, while intermediate and consumer goods producers expect a fall in production.
- In Q1, capital goods businesses were responsible for an overall increase in employment while consumer/intermediate goods businesses saw falls in employment as well as new orders.
- Q1 price growth in domestic and export markets was reported amongst capital and consumer goods businesses, likely as a result of cost increases.
- Intermediate producers saw unchanged price pressures. However, the rate of price growth overall is slowing compared to previous quarters.
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