Informations rapides
23 May 2017
2017- n° 134
In May 2017, the economic climate improves again in the building construction industry Monthly survey of building - May 2017

According to the business managers in the building construction industry surveyed in May 2017, the business climate has improved again. After three months of stability, the composite indicator has increased by two points and has exceeded its long term average (100) for the first time since March 2012.

Informations rapides
No 134
Paru le :Paru le23/05/2017
Prochaine parution le : 20/09/2024 at 08:45 - September 2024

According to the business managers in the building construction industry surveyed in May 2017, the business climate has improved again. After three months of stability, the composite indicator has increased by two points and has exceeded its long term average (100) for the first time since March 2012.

Graph1Business climate composite indicator

The turning point indicator remains in the favourable outlook zone.

Graph2Turning-point indicator

  • Note: close to 1 (respectively −1), it indicates a favourable climate (respectively unfavourable). Between +0.3 and −0.3: uncertainty area

Business managers' opinion on their past activity has improved sharply

In May 2017, many more business managers than in April have indicated an increase in their past activity. The corresponding balance has returned well above its long-term average. In contrast, the balance of opinion on expected activity has fallen back after having increased sharply in April. It remains however well above its long-term average.

Graph3Activity tendency in building construction

Table1Building industry economic outlook

Balances of opinion, in %, SA
Building industry economic outlook (Balances of opinion, in %, SA) -
Mean* Feb. 17 March 17 April 17 May 17
Composite indicator 100 100 100 100 102
Past activity –4 0 –5 –5 7
Expected activity –6 –3 2 11 4
Gen. business outlook –18 6
Past employment –6 –11 –9 –14 –6
Expected employment –5 –10 –6 –6 0
Opinion on order books –24 –30 –32 –27 –27
Order books (in month) 5.5 6.9 7.0 6.8 7.1
Production capacity utilisation rate 88.4 87.0 87.3 87.7 87.9
Obstacles to production increase (in %) 32 25 27 29 31
- Because of workforce shortage (in %) 13.8 5.2 5.9 6.6 7.4
Recruiting problems (in %) 57 51
Expected prices –15 –14 –13 –13 –16
Cash-flow position –10 –10
Repayment period 30 30
  • * Mean since September 1993.
  • Source: INSEE, French business survey in the building industry

Many more business managers plan to enhance their staff size

In May 2017, far fewer business managers than in April have indicated a drop in their staff size over the last three months. The corresponding balance has reached its long-term average for the first time since February 2012. The balance of opinion on expected employment has also increased sharply and has overtaken its long-term average, hitting its highest level since August 2011.

Graph4Workforce size tendency in building construction

Order books remain less filled than on average

In May 2017, as many business managers as in April consider that their order books are poorly filled for the period. While it has improved regularly for two years, the corresponding balance of opinion remains below its long-term average. With their present staff size, business managers consider that their order books provide 7.1 months of work, a higher level than last month and than its long-term average (5.5 months).

Graph5Order books

Production capacity is slightly more used

After having weakly hovered around 87% between August 2016 and February 2017, the production capacity utilisation rate has risen again since March. In May 2017, it has increased slightly, further to 87.9%. However, it has remained below its long-term average (88.4%) since January 2012. 31% of business managers have reported production bottlenecks, an share unseen since August 2009 and close to its long term average.

Graph6Production capacity utilisation rate

Prices prospects close to normal

In May 2017, more business managers than in April have indicated that they will reduce their prices in the next three months. The corresponding balance has returned a shade below its long term-average.

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