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The economic climate gets worse again in building industry in May 2013

Monthly business survey in the building industry – May 2013

According to the business leaders surveyed in May 2013, the situation gets worse again in building industry: the composite indicator loses two points and stays below its long-term average. The turning-point indicator is in the unfavourable zone.

Activity remains deteriorated

The business leaders consider that their activity remains deteriorated in the recent period. The business leaders stay pessimistic about their activity in the next months.

Decreasing employment

Employment in the building industry is grim: the balances of opinion corresponding to past employment and expected employment deteriorate and stay significantly below their long-term average.

Composite indicator

Composite indicator

Turning-point indicator

Turning-point indicator

Lecture : close to 1 (respectively -1), it indicates a favorable climate (respectively unfavorable).

Building industry economic outlook
Balances of opinion, in %, SA
* Mean since September 1993.
Mean* Feb. 13 March 13 April 13 May 13
Composite indicator 100 93 93 94 92
Past activity –2 –22 –26 –27 –29
Expected activity –5 –22 –22 –22 –23
Gen. business outlook –17 –50
Past employment –2 –18 –16 –11 –16
Expected employment –2 –16 –17 –12 –21
Opinion on order books –19 –41 –43 –44 –49
Order books (in month) 5,2 7,1 7,1 7,1 7,1
Productive capacity utilisation rate 89,0 87,3 86,6 86,3 85,7
Obstacles to production increase (in %) 34 18 18 19 20
- Because of workforce shortage (in %) 15,9 4,4 3,9 4,5 5,1
Recruiting problems (in %) 60 48
Expected prices –12 –29 –33 –39 –40
Cash-flow position –8 –25
Repayment period 28 47

Order books are again considered significantly lower than normal

In May, business leaders are more numerous than in April to consider their order books lower than normal. The corresponding balance of opinion is in a level inferior to its long-term average.

Productive capacity underused again

The productive capacity utilisation rate is slightly declining and stays below its long-term average. At the same time, one business leader out of five declare having difficulties to increase his activity.

Prices not very dynamic

In May, business leaders are a little more numerous than in April to indicate price downturns. The corresponding balance of opinion remains sharply inferior to its long-term average.

Productive capacity utilisation rate

Productive capacity utilisation rate

Activity tendency in the building industry

Activity tendency in the building industry

Workforce size tendency in the building industry

Workforce size tendency in the building industry

Order books

Order books

Informations Rapides

n° 118 - May 24, 2013

Monthly survey of building - May 2013

Next issue June 25, 2013 08:45 - June 2013

For further information

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Since July 2009, display of the Informations Rapides has changed.