Informations rapides
24 March 2016
2016- n° 75
In March 2016, the economic climate remains bleak in the building construction industry Monthly survey of building - March 2016

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

Informations rapides
No 75
Paru le :Paru le24/03/2016
Prochaine parution le : 20/09/2024 at 08:45 - September 2024

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

ClimateBusiness climate composite indicator

  • Source: INSEE, French business survey in the building industry

TurningPointTurning-point indicator

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

The turning point indicator remains in the favourable zone.

Business prospects are estimated slightly less grim

In March 2016, fewer business managers than in February forecast a fall of their activity for the next few months. However, the balance of opinion on past activity has slightly decreased. Both balances are stand below their long-term average.

ActivityActivity tendency in building construction

  • Source: INSEE, French business survey in the building industry

Tableau1Building industry economic outlook

Balances of opinion, in %, SA
Building industry economic outlook (Balances of opinion, in %, SA)
Mean* Dec. 15 Jan. 16 Feb. 16 March 16
Composite indicator 100 92 93 92 92
Past activity –4 –8 –12 –15 –19
Expected activity –7 –6 –10 –19 –12
Gen. business outlook –19 –21
Past employment –5 –28 –25 –24 –26
Expected employment –4 –23 –20 –22 –20
Opinion on order books –23 –51 –46 –47 –49
Order books (in month) 5,4 6,4 6,4 6,5 6,5
Production capacity utilisation rate 88,5 84,6 85,1 85,3 85,0
Obstacles to production increase (in %) 32 20 19 20 21
- Because of workforce shortage (in %) 14,3 3,1 2,9 2,8 3,0
Recruiting problems (in %) 58 43
Expected prices –15 –30 –28 –30 –27
Cash-flow position –10 –21
Repayment period 29 40
  • * Mean since September 1993.

Business managers remain pessimistic about employment

In March 2016, slightly more business managers than in February indicate a fall in their staff size during the last three months. By contrast, the balance of opinion on expected employment has recovered slightly. The two balances of opinion of employement stand at a level far below its long-term average.

WorkforceWorkforce size tendency in building construction

Order books remain much lower than normal

Business managers continue to consider that their order books are much lower than normal. The corresponding balance has decreased slightly again in March. It had improved gradually during 2015. 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 March 2016, it has faltered at 85.0 % after 85.3 %. 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 are still considered very low

In March 2016, slightly fewer business managers than in February forecast price falls. However, the corresponding balance remains substantially below its long-term average.

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