7/6/2013: Goodish news on capital investment in Ireland in Industry

Given the volatility in capital sales and acquisitions in Ireland, based on quarterly data, it might be premature to say much about the trends for capital investment in 2013 so far, but nonetheless, at least we are having some good news to go along with the sunshine outside.

Per CSO: "Capital acquisitions in industry in the first quarter of 2013 were €661.3m, compared with €580.8m in the first quarter of 2012. Among the main contributors to capital acquisitions were the following sectors:

• Basic pharmaceutical products and preparations with €102.5m.
• Computer, electronic and optical products with €92.9m.
• Capital sales in the first quarter of 2013 were €89.9m, compared with €218.3m in the first quarter of 2012. 

The main contributors to capital sales were the following sectors:

• Other manufacturing with €33.8m.
• Basic pharmaceutical products and preparations with €27.1m."

You can see the data here http://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/er/cai/capitalassetsinindustryquarter12013/#.UbBltyuglF8 but, as usual, this blog should add some value to the reader. Hence, below is the chart showing Q1 figures for 2011-2013 in terms of net capital acquisitions (new investment) in the industry:

And the good news is (conditioning on the above comment on volatility): 

• Net capital acquisitions rose in Q1 2013 compared to Q1 2011 and Q1 2012
• The rise in net capital acquisitions was marked and significant in 2012-2013 period
• Rise in new investment has been much broader based across various sectors in Q1 2013 than in Q1 2012, although the MNCs-dominated sectors of Computer, electronic & optical equipment and Pharma have been the two largest contributors to the increases in capital investment in 2012 and 2013.