23 March 2012
2012- n° 71In March 2012, the business climate improves in manufacturing industry Monthly business survey (goods-producing industries) - March 2012
According to the business leaders questioned in March 2012, the industrial economic situation improved: the synthetic indicator increases by three points, it now finds its level of november 2011. But it remains below its long-term average.
Manufacturing industry
According to the business leaders questioned in March 2012, the industrial economic situation improved: the synthetic indicator increases by three points, it now finds its level of november 2011. But it remains below its long-term average.
The turning point indicator is in the favorable area .
Business leaders consider that their past activity continues to weaken in manufacturing industry. Stocks of finished products reduce: they are below to their normal level. Total order books slightly improve but are still rated as low; export order books improve markedly but are always rated below their historical average.
Looking at the personal production outlook, which improves markedly, activity in manufacturing industry would be more dynamic in the next months. The general production outlook, which represents business leaders’ opinion on French industry as a whole, improves strongly but are always below its long-term average.
tableautableau – Leaders' opinion: manufacturing industrial activity
| Manufacturing industry | Average* | Dec. 11 | Jan. 12 | Feb. 12 | March 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Synthetic index | 100 | 94 | 92 | 93 | 96 |
| Recent changes in output | 5 | –5 | –6 | –7 | –10 |
| Finished-goods inventory level | 13 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 9 |
| Demand and total order levels | –17 | –26 | –28 | –26 | –23 |
| Demand and export order levels | –12 | –20 | –26 | –33 | –15 |
| Personal production expectations | 5 | –1 | –5 | –1 | 6 |
| General production expectations | –8 | –36 | –36 | –27 | –15 |
- * : The average of the balances opinion since 1976.
- Source : Monthly business survey - INSEE
graphiqueGraphang1 – Industrial economic climate - Synthetic Index
graphiqueGraphang2 – Turning-point indicator
graphiqueGraphang3 – Business leaders' opinion (manufacturing industry)
Documentation
Methodology (pdf,133 Ko)
Pour en savoir plus
Time series : Industry - Activity and demand
