6/1/16: Irish Manufacturing, Services & Construction PMIs: 4Q 2015

Time to update Irish quarterly PMI readings for 4Q 2015. Please note: the following refer to average PMI readings per quarter as supplied by Markit.

Irish Manufacturing PMI averaged 53.7 in 4Q 2015, down slightly on 54.7 in 3Q 2015 and the lowest quarterly reading since 4Q 2013 (jointly tied for that honour with 1Q 2014). The quarterly average has now declined in every quarter since the period peak in 4Q 2014.  Still, at 53.7 we have rather solid growth signal as is. On y/y basis, Manufacturing PMI is now down 5.1% after falling 2.6% in 3Q 2015 and rising 0.7% in 2Q 2015. 4Q 2015 marks tenth consecutive quarter of above 50.0 readings for the sector, with all of these readings being statistically above 50.0 as well. The trend in growth is down.

Irish Services PMI slipped from 62.6 in 3Q 2015 to 61.8 in 4Q 2015, down 1.3% q/q after posting a 1.4% rise q/q in 3Q 2015. On annual basis, the PMI fell 0.11% having previously risen 0.91% in 3Q 2015 and falling 0.48% in 2Q 2015. This marks 20th consecutive quarter of above 50.0 readings in the sector. In level terms, 61.8 signals robust growth in the sector, so it is a positive signal, albeit over time consistent with quite a bit of volatility and no strongly defined trend.

Irish Construction sector PMI (through November 2015) for 4Q 2015 stood at 55.9, down from, 57.1 in 3Q 2015 and marking the second consecutive quarter of index declines. Q/Q index was down 7.95% in 3Q 2015 and it was also down 2.16% in 4Q 2015. Y/Y, index was up 1.42% in 2Q 2015, down 7.6% in 3Q 2015 and down 12.4% in 4Q 2015. Volatile movements in the series still indicate downward trend in growth in the sector.

Chart above summarises the sub-trends, with Services trending very sluggishly up, while Manufacturing and Construction trending down.

As shown in the chart above, my estimated Composite measure, relating to PMIs (using sectoral weights in quarterly GDP figures) posted moderation in growth rate in 4Q 2015.  Composite Index including construction sector stood at 54.4 in 4Q 2015, down from 55.5 in 3Q 2015, hitting the lowest reading since 3Q 2013. This marks second consecutive quarter of declining Composite Index. Index is now down 1.9% q/q having previously fallen 3.8% q/q in 3Q 2015. In y/y terms, Composite Index was up 0.8% y/y in 2Q 2015, down 3.5% y/y in 3Q 2015 and down 6.52% y/y in 4Q 2015. While levels of Index suggest relatively robust growth in the economy across three key sectors, there is a downward trend in the growth rate over time.

So in the nutshell, Irish PMIs continue to signal robust growth, albeit the rate of growth appears to be slowing down along the new sub-trend present from 1Q 2015 on.

Two charts to highlight relationship between PMI signals and GDP and GNP growth rates (data through 3Q 2015).

4/8/15: Irish Manufacturing PMI: July 2015

Irish Manufacturing PMI released by Markit showed accelerated growth in the sector in July, with activity growth signal rising from 54.6 in June to 56.7 in July. This marks 26ht consecutive month of index readings above 50.0 (23rd consecutive month of readings statistically significantly above 50.0).

Overall, the trend remains for high growth in the sector, albeit the rate of increase in growth (second derivative) is moderating (turning negative) since around February 2015.

It is worth noting that the moderating trend in PMIs is confirmed by the most recent QNA datum showing Industry sector - excluding Building and Construction - in a q/q decline in 1Q 2015 of 0.31%, while the sector posted a 9.63% growth year-on-year.

Overall, another month of gains in Manufacturing is a good sign of underlying strength in the sector.

10/7/15: Irish Quarterly PMIs: Manufacturing, Services & Construction

Irish PMI for June, released earlier this month by Markit (co-branded by Investec) give us a chance to look at quarterly activity. Given volatility in both Manufacturing and Services activity in the monthly data, this provides a slightly better potential insight into what is going on in the economy (see caveat at the bottom of the post).

Q2 2015 average PMI for Manufacturing sector reads 55.8 - the lowest for any quarter since Q2 2014, but still solidly in an expansion range. Q2 2015 marks second consecutive quarter of declining manufacturing PMI readings. However, on a positive side, Q2 2015 was the 8th consecutive quarter of readings above 50. Year on year, growth in the sector remained largely unchanged and growth de-accelerated on a quarterly basis.

Q2 2015 average PMI for Services rose marginally to 61.8 from 61.6 in 1Q 2015 and is below 62.1 average for Q2 2014. Q2 2015 marks 18th consecutive quarterly reading above 50 for the Services sector. Year on year, growth slowed down in the Services sector and quarter on quarter it remained largely static.

Construction sector PMI (co-branded with Ulster Bank) posted quarterly average of 60.3 in Q2 2015, well above 54.0 average for Q1 2015, but below 61.2 average for Q2 2014. Thus, year on year growth fell in the Construction sector, but there was a significant acceleration in quarter on quarter growth. Q2 2015 marks 8th consecutive quarter with average PMI above 50.0.

Composite PMI (subject to future revisions due to sectoral weights changes once we have Q1 and Q2 national accounts) posted a reading of 60.4 in Q2 2015, up on 59.0 in Q1 2015 and marginally higher than 60.2 reading in Q2 2014. Year on year, composite PMI signalled basically static performance, while quarterly growth improved somewhat in Q2 2015.


Caveat: Irish PMI readings have very low direct correlation to actual growth in the economy, measured by either GDP or GNP. Historically, PMIs levels and changes explain at most ca 10.6 percent of variations in GNP and at most 8.8 percent of variations in GDP. In other words, booming PMIs, on average, do not translate into booming economy. 

3/6/15: Irish Manufacturing PMI: May 2015

Irish Manufacturing PMI for May came in at a stronger 57.1 reading up on 55.8 in April. The indicator currently stands above 12 mo average (56.3) and 3mo average (56.6). 3mo average through May is marginally up on 3mo average through February 2015 (56.5).

Looking at shorter run shows that current levels of activity are consistent with flattening out of the trend at high levels at the trend level of 56.5-57.0:

Overall, good solid reading for Manufacturing, subject to all usual caveats relating to questionable MNCs activities and data bias in favour of MNCs.

7/5/15: The Surreal Industrial Production in Ireland: Q1 2015

Irish Industrial production figures for Q1 2015 are confirming what has become a serious joke for many analysts: Irish growth figures are now so distorted by various multinational tax optimisation tricks, there is little point looking at much of the GDP and GNP growth coming from the official accounts.

Take a look at comparatives for seasonally-adjusted indices of volume of production across 'Modern' and 'Traditional' sectors:

Year-on-year, Q1 2015 volumes of production rose 31.73% across all Industries. In the Traditional sectors, production increased 13.1%, while in Modern sector production rose 48.7%. Guess which sector is dominated by the MNCs?

Now, take a look relative to crisis period trough:

• Across industries, since the bottom was hit in the crisis period (in 1Q 2013), production rose 47.3% - implying quarterly rate of growth of 4.96%. 
• Across Traditional sectors, output rose 20.42%, implying quarterly growth rate of 1.56%; and
• Across Modern sectors output rose 78.613%, implying quarterly rate of growth of 7.52%.

Guess why is one sector growing at a rate that is almost 5 times the rate of growth in another sector? It can't be due to 'most productive labour force' we allegedly have, for both Traditional and Modern sectors have access to the same labour force. It can't be due to our 'pro-business institutions and culture', for both sectors have equal access to these, presumably. It can't be due to our 'Knowledge Economy', for - setting aside the questionable nature of its existence - both sectors can rely on knowledge in the economy equally. Wait… perhaps it is down to the difference between MNCs ability to access tax optimisation schemes which are down to international accounting methods, whilst traditional sectors firms have to pay the going headline rate of tax on their real activities? For that is, pretty much, the only fundamental long term difference between the two sectors.

But let's drill a little deeper. See the following chart:

What the above shows is the source of growth in the Modern Sectors - aka Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals - a sector that has managed to post growth of 109.2% on trough (from 1Q 2013). Yep, year on year the sector has expanded output by 60.76%. You'd have to wonder - what on earth can propel pharma to these rates of growth? The answer is the 'miracle' of contract manufacturing - a scheme whereby something not produced in Ireland, gets booked as if it was produced in Ireland.

This we call growth. To the amazement of the European politicians and the amusement of the more shrewd investment markets analysts who are starting to laugh at our PMIs, our GDP, our GNP... and so on...

6/5/15: Irish Services & Manufacturing PMI: April 2015

Irish Services PMI (Markit & Investec) for April posted slightly lower rate of growth in the sector compared to March, declining marginally to 60.9 from 60.6 a month ago. Current reading marks the 14th consecutive month of Services PMI above 60.0 and 33rd consecutive above 50.0 reading, so not surprisingly, the sector is running hot.

Irish Manufacturing PMI is covered in more details here: http://trueeconomics.blogspot.ie/2015/05/1515-irish-manufacturing-pmi-april-2015.html


Stripping out some volatility:

• Services sector PMI 3mo average is currently at 62.2, running above 3mo average through January 2015 (61.0) and 3mo average through April 2014 (60.0). 6mo average through April 2015 is just 0.4 points below 6mo average through October 2014.  Historically, current Services PMI 12 mo average of 61.8 compares favourably to the post-crisis period average of 56.0 and pre-crisis average of 57.6. Crisis period average was 50.7.
• Manufacturing sector PMI 3mo average through April 2015 is at 56.1 which is somewhat lower than the 3mo average through January 2015 (56.7) but well ahead of the 3mo average through April 2014 (54.8). 6mo average for the period through April 2015 is 0.5 points above the 6mo average through October 2014. Historically, current Manufacturing PMI 12 mo average of 56.1 compares favourably to the post-crisis period average of 52.7 and pre-crisis average of 51.8. Crisis period average was 51.2.

In April, both Services and Manufacturing PMIs posted some marginal slowdown in activity compared to April 2014. Services PMI slipped from 61.9 to 60.6 and Manufacturing PMI declined from 56.1 to 55.8. Nonetheless, both series have now been jointly trending above 50.0 for 23 months, which is a solid performance.

1/5/15: Irish Manufacturing PMI: April 2015

Irish Manufacturing PMI is out today for April (compiled by Markit, sponsored by Investec), posting another strong reading at 55.8,

As the chart above indicates, current 12mo average is at robust 56.1 and 3mo average is 56.7. In 3mo through January 2015, the indicator averaged 56.1, which suggests the latest 3mo performance was stronger then the previous one. 3mo average through April 2015 is well ahead of the same period average for 2014 (54.8) and 2013 (49.4). Overall, these are strong numbers, although much of the spectacular growth is probably accounted for by the fabled Contract Manufacturing schemes that are used by some MNCs to book value added for production taking else where into Ireland for tax purposes.

April reading continues the period - 20 months and counting - of continued readings that are statistically significantly above 50.0. However, momentum growth is weakening and remains static from around August 2014. Still, this is the second order derivative, with the overall rate of growth being signalled by the PMI remaining robust.

25/4/2014: Wholesale Prices in Ireland: March 2014

Deflation at consumer prices level is a two-edged sword. Whilst it normally rises savings and delays consumption, it also helps households stuck in debt to deleverage faster and it beefs up surplus savings available for investment.

But deflation at producer prices level is a case of gained competitiveness at the expense of future growth as it reduces value added in production and lowers future investment. It also leads to reduced hiring and can lead to cuts to the workforce.

Behold Ireland's pain...

According to CSO (http://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/er/wpi/wholesalepriceindexmarch2014/#.U1kL4-ZdWzg): we are now in full-blow deflationary spiral in terms of producer prices.

Drilling into specifics:

1. Export prices down 3.6% y/y and domestic sales prices down 1.1% y/y. Yes, exports price changes can be down to FX volatility, but no - this means nothing much as lower prices still mean lower revenues.
2. On upside: dairy products prices were up 12.6% y/y, wood and wood products prices up 10% y/y. Good news for least value-additive sectors of Irish economy. Other manufacturing prices were up 1.3%, beverages up 2.2%. And durable consumer goods industries prices up 1.3%.
3. Beyond that, almost everything else is either flat or down. You can see the details in the last column in Table 2 linked above.
4. One to watch: prices of energy products are down 17.2% y/y and petroleum fuels down 3.2%. Let's see if our heroes at state-controlled energy behemoths are going to pass any savings to consumers (hint: I doubt it).

So overall, not good news - sustained pressure on producer prices. Negative m/m inflation is now recorded in every months starting with October 2013 and on the annual basis, prices-signalled activities in the economy are running at the rates of growth consistent with late 2012-early 2013, not with a strong rebound. Of course, this is just a signal...

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.

25/3/2012: QNA Q4 2011 - Part 3

In part 1 of the QNA analysis we covered annual results for annual GDP and GNP in constant prices terms. Part 2 analysis focused on GDP/GNP gap and losses in national income compared to pre-crisis trend. Here, we cover some quarterly trends for GDP and GNP based on constant prices data.

Let's consider changes by sector:

• Agriculture, forestry and fishing sector output fell 5.1% yoy in Q4 2011 following a 9.34% rise yoy in Q3 2011. In Q4 2011 the sector accounted for just 1.26% of the total quarterly GDP. Compared to Q4 2007 the sector output is now down 6.0%.
• Industry output rose 2.3% yoy in Q4 2011 after rising 6.25% in Q3 2011. The sector is now accounting for 28.34% of the quarterly domestic output. Sector output is now down 3.3% when compared against Q4 2007.
• Building & Construction sub-sector of Industry sector posted yoy decline of 6.7% inQ4 2011 that follows on 39.32% drop in Q3 2011. The sub-sector is now accounting for just 2.62% of total output and is down 55.0% on Q4 2007.
• Distribution transport and communications sector shrunk 0.6% yoy in Q4 2011 which follows 4.99% drop in Q3 2011. The sector accounts for 13.23% of total output and is down 17.3% on Q4 2007.
• Public administration and defence sector shrunk 3.8% yoy in Q4 2011 which follows on a 6.53% contraction in Q3 2011. The sector now accounts for 3.58% of the domestic output and is down 6.5% on Q4 2007.
• Other services including rents output contracted 3.1% yoy in Q4 2011 following on a 5.14% contraction in Q3 2011. The sector accounts for 42.37% of the economy and is down 12.5% on Q4 2007.
• As the result of this, GDPat constant factor cost expanded in Q4 2011 by 1.1% yoy and this follows on a rise of 0.88% in Q3 2011. This metric of domestic output is now dow 10.6% on Q4 2007.
• Taxes net of subsidies are down 2.3% yoy in Q4 2011 and this follows a 2.76% drop in Q3 2011. This accounts for 9.70% of GDP and the category is now down 30.0% compared to Q4 2007.
• Headline GDP at constant market prices rose 0.7% yoy after expanding 0.52% in Q3 2011. The GDP at constant prices in Q4 2011 was 12.8 below that in Q4 2007.
• Net factor income from the rest of the world (aka largely transfer pricing net of receipts by Irish corporates and individuals on their foreign investments) grew 59.9% yoy in Q4 2011 which follows on 7.41% growth in Q3 2007. These transfers now account for 18.51% of our GDP and were running 10.0% ahead of the levels recorded in Q4 2007.
• Headline GNP in constant prices in Q4 2011 fell 7.1% yoy following a 1.18% contraction in Q3 2011. National income in constant prices is now 16.6% below that attained in Q4 2007.
• GDP/GNP gap stood at 18.51% in Q4 2011 slightly down on 20.18% in Q3 2011.

Charts:

More sectoral analysis to follow in the next post.

11/11/2011: Industrial Production & Turnover - September

Industrial production and turnover figures for September provide some interesting reading. Monthly figures are significantly volatile, so some comparisons are tenuous at best, but overall, despite some downward pressures, the figures are encouraging. Here's why.

Industrial production index for manufacturing has declined from 116.4 in August to 113 in September - monthly drop of 2.92%. Year on year, September 2011 is still up 0.18% although index is down on September 2007 some 0.1%. The average of the 3mo through September 2011 was 2.2% ahead of the average for 3mo through June 2011 and 2.1% ahead of the 3mo average through September 2010. September 2011 reading is ahead of 6mo MA of 112.3 and 12mo MA of 111.7.

All of the above suggests the slowdown in activity in September was not as sharp as we might have expected given the adverse news flow from the rest of the Euro area.

All industries index has fallen from 115.2 in August to 111.2 in September, registering a yoy decline of 0.1% and mom drop of 3.47%. The index is down 1.67% on September 2007. Just as with Manufacturing index, All industries index 3mo average through September 2011 was up 2.59% on previous 3mo period and also up 1.82% on 3mo period through September 2010. The index was also above its 6mo MA of 110.7 and 12mo MA of 110.2. Again, this suggests that the slowdown is still shallow and there is some robustness in the series.

Both indices are still ahead of their readings in July and June. In fact, Manufacturing sub-index is resting at the second highest level since January 2011. The same holds for All Industries index.

Modern Sectors sub-index fell from 130.2 in August to 128.4 in September (-1.38%mom) but is up 1.18% yoy and 11.3% ahead of the reading for September 2007. 3mo average through September is 3.1% ahead of the 3mo average through June 2011 and is 1.8% ahead of the 3mo average through September 2010. The sub-index is ahead of its 6mo MA of 127.3 and its 12mo MA of 126.2. Modern Sector production activity remains at the second highest level since July 2010.

Per chart above, traditional sector production sub-index has fallen to 89.8 in September from 98.5 in August. The overall trend in the sub-sector is uncertain. Massive break out from the long term decline trend in August - with index posting the strongest performance since November 2008 is now followed by a contraction of 8.8% yoy and 1.8% mom in September. However, September reading still rests comfortably above the long term trend line and ahead of 6mo MA of 89.3 and 12mo MA of 89.1. This is the second strongest reading for the sub-index since September 2010.

Having shrunk to 31.7% in August, the gap between Modern and Traditional sectors has widened once again to 38.6%.

In terms of turnover, Manufacturing industries saw a significant decline in overall turnover activity from 104.3 in August to 100.5 in September. The index is now down 0.4% yoy and 3.64% mom. The index is also down 6.8% on September 2007. However, 3mo average through September is up 3.5% on 3mo average through June 2011 and also up 1.2% on 3mo average through September 2010. The good news is that September was the third consecutive month with turnover index at or above 100, which means that September reading is ahead of 6mo MA of 99.9 and 12mo MA of 99.5. But the gap is extremely small.

Transportable goods industries turnover also declined in September 2011 from 103.8 in August to 100.1. Mom, yoy and relative to September 2007 dynamics are virtually identical to those for Manufacturing sector. Similarities persist in comparatives for 3mo averages and for 6m and 12mo MA.

Hence, overall, turnover data is less encouraging than volume data, which is expected during the overall build up of pressures in global trade flows.

Also per chart above, new orders index came in at disappointing 99.6 in September down from 102.1 in August (decline of 1.09% yoy and -2.45% mom). Compared to September 2007 the index is now off 8.93%. 3mo average through September 2011 is 2.1% ahead of the 3mo average through June 2011, but is only 0.1% ahead of the 3mo average through September 2010. Current reading is very close to 6mo MA of 99.52 and to 12mo MA of 99.18.

So on the net, I am reading the numbers coming out for September as rather positive developments, signaling some resilience in Irish manufacturing and industrial production in the face of challenges across the euro area and other core trading partners. Of course, this data requires some confirmation in months ahead before we can pop that celebratory cork...

11/10/2011: Industrial Production & Turnover: Ireland August 2011

Production for Manufacturing Industries for August 2011 surprised to the strong upside rising 11.4% higher on August 2010 (unadjusted basis) and 1.2% (seasonally adjusted) over three months from June through August, compared to 3 months prior to June. Industries volume of production rose 10.4% year on year in August, also a strong gain. Monthly increase in volume in Manufacturing (3.6%) was the strongest monthly gain recorded since 9.0% increase in September 2010, and 4.4% monthly gain in Industries was also the strongest since September 2010 monthly rise of 6.9%.

Manufacturing and Industry indices, as shown above, rose well above the shorter-term average. However, the core break out from the previously established pattern of volatility around the flat trend was in the Traditional Sectors. Specifically, Modern Sector volume of production expanded by 10.2% year on year and 0.9% monthly. These were the strongest yearly gains in the series since December 2010 and introduce a break from annual contractions posted in three months between May and July. Traditional Sectors posted a massive 16.7% jump in volume of production in monthly terms - the largest monthly gain on the record and 10.8% annual rate of growth - also the strongest growth on record.

As the result, the gap between Modern and Traditional sectors activity by volume has closed substantially in August, from 43.3 in July to 30.3 in August posting the shallowest gap since August 2010.

Equally importantly, the seasonally adjusted industrial turnover index for Manufacturing Industries

was 7.0% higher in August 2011 when compared with August 2010, and 4.9% higher mom. The annual rate of growth in August was the highest since February 2011 and the monthly rate was the highest since May 2010.

Again, as per chart above, both series now have broken well above their flat recent trend, although the breakout is consistent with volatility in the Q4 2010-Q2 2011.

Another encouraging sign is that Modern Sector employment grew from 64,700 to 66,000 between Q2 2011 and Q1 2011, although it remains below 66,300 in Q3 2010. All other sectors employment expanded from 129,600 to 129,900 Q2 2011 to Q1 2011 and All Industries employment grew from 194,300 in Q1 2011 to 195,900 in Q2 2011.

In 3 months between June 2011 and August 2011, in year-on-year terms, the following notable gains and declines in volume activity were recorded in:

• In Food products and Beverages there was 0% growth in volume - an improvement on preceding 3 months period which recorded a yoy contraction of 5.4%, with Food Products contracting 2.4% yoy (improving on 8.5% yoy contraction in 3 months from May through Jul 2011), while Beverages grew by a substantial 12.2%, building on 10.6% yoy expansion in May-July.
• Textiles and wearing apparel volumes declined 28.5% yoy
• Printing and reproduction of recorded media sub-sector volumes shrunk 14.7%, a slight improvement on 15% contraction recorded in yoy terms for May-July period.
• Chemicals and chemical products grew 27.3% (there was 23.9% rise recorded in May-July period), while Basic pharmaceutical products and preparations sub sector volumes grew 2.0% offsetting 2.9 contraction in May-July.
• Computer, electronic, optical and electrical equipment sector volumes contracted 10.9% yoy, virtually unchanged on 11.0% decline recorded in May-July, primarily driven by Computer, electronic and optical products which account for 90%+ of total value added in the sector and which declined in volumes by 10.5% yoy (worse decline than 10.1 contraction in May-July)
• Machinery and equipment not elsewhere classified expanded by 19.1%
• Transport equipment grew by 14.8%
• Other manufacturing contracted by 8.8%
• Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply volumes were up 1.5% yoy
• Capital goods sector volumes posted another contraction of 1.0% yoy, improving on 1.3 decline recorded in may-July
• Intermediate goods production volumes fell 13.2%, also better than 14.1% decline in May-July
• Consumer goods production grew 3.0%, reversing 1.8% decline in May-July, of which durable goods production volumes were up 12.2% although these account for 1/32nd of the total value added in the category, non-durable goods grew by 2.9%.
• 
  

10/08/2011: Industrial Production and Turnover: June 2011

Industrial production for June confirms the trend spotted here few months ago: Irish economic recovery (or rather the nascent signs of it) is now running out of fuel.

Industrial production has been a bright spot on our economy's horizon, primarily thanks to the MNCs. In annual terms:

• 2010 index of production for Manufacturing Industries rose to 110.1 up on 2009 level of 101.7 and regained the 109 mark reached in 2007.
  
• All Industries index too reached to 108.7 - above 108.4 in 2007.
  
• Modern Sectors - MNCs-dominated area of industrial production - were the core drivers, starting with the reading of 111.2 in 2007, falling only slightly to 109.8 in 2008, then climbing to 112.6 in 2009 and rocketing off to 124.7 in 2010.
  
• Meanwhile Traditional Sectors were just beginning to lift their head in 2010: after posting the reading of 104.7 in 2007, the sector fell to 100.4 in 2008, followed by a collapse to 86.2 in 2009 and a slight rebound to 87.8 in 2010.

All of these positive dynamics are now changing and not on a monthly volatility - along a new trend.

First the latest data on Production indices:

• Manufacturing sectors production have risen to 111.4 in June, relative to May 2011, however, the index remains flat since June 2010. The 6mo average and the 12mo average for the series are both at 111.2.
• All Industries index for production is now at 109.9, slightly up on May 109.3, but again, the series are not going anywhere in the medium term. The index is basically flat since June 2010 and 6mo average is at 109.5, while 12 months average is at 109.6.
• Modern sectors index for production volumes is now at 125.6, up from 123.8 in May. Again, as above, this is now flat on July 2010 with the 6mo average of 124.9 and 12 months average of 125.6
• Traditional sectors posted a monthly contraction in June to 89.8 from 91.8 in May. Again, the index is broadly flat since August 2010 and 6mo average for the series is at 89.3, although 12 months average is at 88.9

Chart below illustrates:

One continued trend has the widening gap between the Modern sectors and Traditional sectors. The gap between two series increased from 32 points to 35.8 points in May to June 2011. However, as the chart below illustrates, this gap is now trending along the flat since September 2010.
Turnover data paints a slightly different picture. First, consider annual indices:

• Manufacturing Industries turnover peaked in 2007 at 106.9 before falling to 93 in 2009. 2010 saw the index regaining some of the lost ground at 97.5
• Transportable Goods Industries turnover peaked at 107.3 in 2007 before falling to the trough of 92.8 in 2009 and then rising to 97 in 2010.

Now, on to monthly readings:

• Manufacturing Industries turnover index stood at 98.6 in June 2011, down from 99.5 in May. The index average over the last 6 months stands at 98.7 and for the last 12 months the index average is 99.5. In other words, once again, we are seeing a relative flattening of the trend for already shallow gains since the trough.
• Transportable Goods Industries turnover index fell from 99.1 in May to 98.3 in June and confirms the relatively flat trend over the last 12 months.
• In line with the above, New Orders Index has fallen from 99.8 in May to 99.3 in June. Again, as the chart below shows, the series is running along the flat trend since mid 2010
  

Overall, while monthly changes on volumes were somewhat in-line with previous growth trends (except for Traditional sectors), the volumes growth is now appearing to have established a flat trend since mid 2010. Exactly the same applies to Turnover indices (which are also showing monthly deterioration) and to the New Orders index.