Future Retirement Success
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Investing
  • Stocks
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Investing
  • Stocks

Future Retirement Success

Business

Number of UK sectors in growth mode hits 10 month high

by March 22, 2023
March 22, 2023
Number of UK sectors in growth mode hits 10 month high

More UK sectors reported an increase in output than at any time in the past 10 months in February, as stronger demand and weaker cost inflation drove activity, according to the Lloyds Bank UK Sector Tracker.

Of the 14 sectors monitored by the tracker, 11 saw output expand in February (vs. 6 in January) – the highest number since April 2022. A reading above 50.0 on the Tracker indicates expansion, while a reading below 50.0 indicates contraction.

Technology equipment manufacturers posted the fastest rate of output growth (63.6 vs. 48.4 in January), supported by stronger new orders, improved capacity and fewer semiconductor shortages, according to surveyed firms.

Slower inflation drives new order growth

Output growth across sectors was supported by increasing numbers of new orders. In February, 10 of the 14 sectors saw new order volumes expand (compared to five in January). Food and drink manufacturers saw new order volume grow at the fastest rate (59.8 vs. 54.8 in January).

Increasing customer confidence amid weaker inflation helped drive the rise in demand. The number of businesses across the economy linking lower orders to higher prices almost halved month-on-month (4.23 times the long-term average in February vs. 8.0 times in January).

Businesses’ own pace of cost inflation also slowed in February. Of the 14 sectors monitored, 12 reported a slower pace of cost inflation than the month before (vs. 10 in January), driven by falls in materials and energy costs.

Metals and mining firms saw the largest slowdown in input cost inflation (51.0 in February vs. 69.0 in January), followed by healthcare businesses (67.6 vs. 76.6). Meanwhile, tourism & recreation – which includes pubs, hotels and restaurants (80.4 vs. 86.7) – transportation (67.9 vs. 69.2), and the food and drink manufacturing (60.3 vs. 61.3) sectors also saw price pressures ease.

Firms hire, but increasingly report staff shortages

UK businesses increased their headcounts for the first time in three months during February. However, despite the pick-up in headcount, reports by firms of staff shortages rose. In February, the number of businesses commenting on backlogs of work due to labour shortages was at an eight-month high (4.64 times the long-run average vs. 4.19 in January).

Jeavon Lolay, Head of Economics and Market Insight at Lloyds Bank Corporate & Institutional Banking, said: “February’s data underlines the economy’s relative robustness, and gives some reasons for optimism for the year ahead. While inflationary pressures are still acute and households continue to be cautious with spending, a healthy labour market is helping underpin confidence and demand.

“However, it will also play a crucial role in inflation’s future trajectory. A persistently tight labour market could maintain, or even accelerate, wage inflation. Its prospects will inevitably form a key part of the Bank of England’s rationale as to whether it decides to pause or hike interest rates again on Thursday.”

Scott Barton, Managing Director, Lloyds Bank Corporate & Institutional Banking, added: “As demand strengthens, management teams will need to shift their attention to building capacity. While staffing will be a critical aspect of this, so will be the timing and structuring of investment flows. The key will be to manage the impact on available working capital. With strategic planning and prudent financial management businesses can position themselves for sustainable growth.”

Read more:
Number of UK sectors in growth mode hits 10 month high

0
FacebookTwitterGoogle +Pinterest
previous post
Brexiteer Tories waver on support for Rishi Sunak’s Brexit deal
next post
Mini budget continues to wreak havoc on the UK housing market as annual sales dive 18 per cent

You may also like

Getting To Know You: Will Polston, founder, Will...

February 3, 2023

Exploring the World of Custom Hats: A Guide...

January 3, 2025

The Importance of Insurance For Business 

November 23, 2024

How to create eye-catching email subject lines

October 25, 2022

Foolish not to review IR35’ ahead of General...

July 13, 2023

UK risks exodus of semiconductor firms without an...

February 3, 2023

An In-Depth Interview with Dr. Sergey Macheret: Exploring...

January 23, 2025

EU threatens to break up Google’s $200bn ad...

June 15, 2023

Housing market rebounds after budget as buyer demand...

November 15, 2024

Protecting Women at UK Business Events: The Rise...

April 3, 2024

    Get free access to all of the retirement secrets and income strategies from our experts! or Join The Exclusive Subscription Today And Get the Premium Articles Acess for Free

    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Recent Posts

    • Trump ally stands firm against ‘big, beautiful bill’ despite pressure: ‘It’ll completely backfire’

      June 8, 2025
    • Rubio condemns assassination attempt on Colombian presidential candidate Miguel Uribe

      June 8, 2025
    • Obama WH physician says Biden doc should have performed cognitive test

      June 8, 2025
    • Trump warns of ‘serious consequences’ if Elon Musk funds Democrats

      June 7, 2025
    • Musk jokes about reconsidering stance on Big Beautiful Bill after Schiff’s praise

      June 7, 2025
    • Musk deletes explosive posts about Trump and Epstein files

      June 7, 2025

    Categories

    • Business (8,152)
    • Investing (2,019)
    • Politics (15,571)
    • Stocks (3,136)
    • About us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Disclaimer: futureretirementsuccess.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2025 futureretirementsuccess.com | All Rights Reserved