Informations Rapides · 21 April 2022 · n° 98

In April 2022, the business climate in manufacturing industry has slightly bounced back Monthly business survey (goods-producing industries) - April 2022

According to the business managers surveyed in April 2022, the business climate in manufacturing industry has slightly improved, after having deteriorated markedly in March. At 108, the composite indicator has won one point, notably in relation with the increase in the balances of opinion on order books, both overall and foreign.

In April 2022, the balances of opinion on order books have been on the rise. The balance on the overall order books has bounced back and has met again its February 2022 level, well above its average. The balance on the foreign order books has also grown, notably driven by the manufacture of transport equipment sector.

The balance on the variation in the personal production prospects over the next three months has been stable. The one on the variation in past production has withdrawn a little. These two balances remain above their average. Finally, the balance on the general production prospects has decreased again and is thus getting closer to its long-term average.

The balances of opinion on the change in workforce have remained at high levels. The one on the expected change in workforce over the next three months is stable, while the one on the change in workforce over the last three months has barely decreased.

The balance associated to the current level of the finished-goods inventory has improved markedly for the second month in a row: it is almost reaching its long-term average. Thus, on average, business leaders have estimated that their inventories were close to their usual level for this time of the year.

in April 2022 the balance on the expected trend in selling prices has withdrawn, after having reached a new high point since the beginning of this series (1990). It remains at a high level.

For the third month in a row, more business leaders have reported the situation of their enterprise to be difficult to predict. The balance of opinion on the perceived economic uncertainty has again increased and has reached its highest level since this series started a year ago.

In the manufacture of food products and beverages, the business climate indicator has weakened but remains well above its average. There, the balance of opinion on past production as well as those on order books have deteriorated.

In the manufacture of machinery and equipment goods, the business climate indicator has slightly bounced back and remains well above its average. This rise results from the recovery of the balances on order-books in this sub-sector, while the balance on the variation in the personal production prospects has again distinctly folded back.

In the manufacture of transport equipment, the business climate has clearly brightened. In the manufacture of motor vehicles, the business climate indicator has increased by 5 points, which nevertheless does not erase its sharp decline of the previous month. In the other transport equipment, the climate has slightly improved, driven by the balances on order books.

Finally, the business climate has bounced back in the so-called "other industries" sector. The balances of opinion on order books, both overall and foreign, have participated in this rise.

The business climate in manufacturing industry of March 2022 has been revised upwards by one point, due to the inclusion of late responses from some companies.