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UK CBI Industrial Trends: manufacturing strong, stock inventories weak

UK DATA
MNI (London)

Total orders for UK industry in December came in at +24%, just below last month’s record high of +26%, remaining strong compared to the long-run average of -13%.

  • Output over the past three months accelerated from +17% to +29%. This is expected to slow over the next three months to 23%, however still substantially higher than series averages.
  • The key weakness in this month’s readings remained stocks, which have come in at a record low of -24%, as finished goods inventories look particularly problematic due to high pressure from global supply chain disruptions and labour shortages.
  • Average prices which are also projected to remain critical over the next three months, dampening slightly to +62% from November’s reading of +67%.
  • The outbreak of the Omicron variant in the UK has weakened business confidence, however firms are retaining some confidence in adequate testing in order for manufacturing capacities to remain stable.

Picture source: CBI 2020

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