Informations Rapides · 22 April 2021 · n° 104

In April 2021, personal business prospects in the building industry are still high Monthly survey of building - April 2021

In April 2021, the balance of opinion of business managers in the building construction industry on their expected activity for the next three months has fallen slightly compared to March, while that on the general activity outlook for the sector, measured quarterly, has increased compared to January 2021.

In April 2021, business managersin building industry are more numerous than in the previous month to report an increase in their past activity for the last three months: the corresponding balance has increased again and remains thus above its long-term average. However, the balance of opinion of business managers on their expected activity for the next three months has dipped slightly in April while remaining above its average. Their opinion on the general outlook for the sector, measured quarterly, has improved significantly in comparison to January: this balance has deviated further from its average.

In April 2021, the balance of opinion of business leaders on the change in their workforce size over the next three months has continued to rise and stands far above its long-term average. At the same time, the balance of opinion on the change in the workforce size over the past three months has increased again and remains above its average.

In April 2021, the business managers in the building industry are overall as numerous as last month to deem that the level of their order books is higher than normal: the corresponding balance has increased very slightly and stands well above its long-term average. Moreover, given their workforce size, the business managers have considered that the orders provide 9.1 months of work, the longest duration since the beginning of the series in 1975.

In April 2021, the production capacity utilisation rate is virtually stable. At 91.0%, it stands above its long-term average (88.7%). At the same time, production bottlenecks have continued to tighten: 47% of business managers have reported some, a proportion that has been rising continuously since the start of the year and well above the long-term average (33%). The share of business managers who consider that they are unable to increase their production due to a lack of staff has increased again and stands above its average.

In addition, the proportion of business managers encountering recruitment difficulties has increased again. It remains well above its average over the long term.

In April 2021, business managers are significantly more numerous than in January 2021 to indicate an improvement in their cash flow. The corresponding balance has increased sharply again and has moved away from its long-term average. At the same time, they have not reported an overall lengthening of their customers' payment periods: the corresponding balance of opinion is stable, below its average.

In addition, in April 2021, more business managers than in the previous month have reported that they will increase their prices over the next three months. The balance of opinion on the expected price development for the next three months has grown sharply and remains well above its average level.