Informations rapides
23 February 2016
2016- n° 17
In February 2016, the economic climate does not improve in the building construction industry Monthly survey of building - February 2016

According to the business managers surveyed in February 2016, the business climate remains deteriorated in the building construction industry. The composite indicator is almost unchanged and is significantly below (92) its long-term average (100).

Informations rapides
No 17
Paru le :Paru le23/02/2016
Prochaine parution le : 25/04/2025 at 08:45 - April 2025

According to the business managers surveyed in February 2016, the business climate remains deteriorated in the building construction industry. The composite indicator is almost unchanged and is significantly below (92) its long-term average (100).

ClimateBusiness climate composite indicator

TurningPointTurning-point indicator

  • Note: close to 1 (respectively –1), it indicates a favourable business climate (respectively unfavourable).

The turning point indicator remains in the favourable zone.

Business managers are more pessimistic about their expected activity

In February 2016, more business manager than in January indicate a fall of their activity for the next few months. The balances of opinion on past activity is virtually stable. Both balances on past and expected activity are below their long-term average.

ActivityActivity tendency in building construction

Tableau1Building industry economic outlook

Balances of opinion, in %, SA
Building industry economic outlook (Balances of opinion, in %, SA)
Mean* Nov. 15 Dec. 15 Jan. 16 Feb. 16
Composite indicator 100 91 92 93 92
Past activity –4 –11 –8 –12 –13
Expected activity –7 –19 –6 –10 –21
Gen. business outlook –19 –21
Past employment –5 –30 –28 –25 –24
Expected employment –4 –24 –23 –20 –23
Opinion on order books –23 –49 –51 –46 –45
Order books (in month) 5,4 6,4 6,4 6,4 6,5
Production capacity utilisation rate 88,5 84,9 84,6 85,1 85,2
Obstacles to production increase (in %) 32 20 20 19 21
- Because of workforce shortage (in %) 14,4 2,8 3,1 2,9 3,2
Recruiting problems (in %) 58 43
Expected prices –15 –30 –30 –28 –30
Cash-flow position –10 –21
Repayment period 29 40
  • * Mean since September 1993.

Persistent pessimism about employment

In February 2016, almost as many business managers as in January indicate a fall in their staff size during the three last months. Concerning expected employement, the balance of opinion has slightly decreased. The two balances of opinion stand at a level far below its long-term average.

WorkforceWorkforce size tendency in building construction

Order books are still considered much lower than normal

Business managers continue to consider that their order books are much lower than normal. However, the corresponding balance has improved gradually, hitting its highest level since early 2014. With their staff size, business managers consider that their order books provide 6.5 months of work, a level stable and above its long term average (5.4 months).

OrderBooksOrder books

Production capacity stays underused

Since 2008, the production capacity utilisation rate has stood below its long-term average. In February 2016, it is virtually stable at 85.2 %. Almost one business manager out of five has reported difficulties in increasing output, against one out of three in average since 1993.

PcurProduction capacity utilisation rate

Prices have been reported down again

In February 2016, slightly more business managers than in January have forecasted price falls. The corresponding balance remains substantially below its long-term average.

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