UK Orders, Export Orders, and Inflation Jump Sharply in February

UK industrial orders (CBI Survey) jumped to -20 in February from -30 in January. The jump put orders back at their 12-month average (-21). Orders had been slipping steadily with averages over 12-months at -21 over 6-months at -25 and 3-Mo at -24 (or -29 as of one month ago). This month’s rebound not only boosts the 3-Mo average reading, but it takes the current month sharply higher breaking the cycle of deterioration.

Export orders were similarly impacted with a -21 average over 12-months and -24 over six-months. That average is cut to -21 over three months in February but last month the 3-month average was a much weaker -27. This month’s surge in export orders has turned around the deterioration for export orders as well.

Still, total orders only rank in their 35th percentile among order data back to 1992. Export orders are relatively stronger in February at a 55.6 percentile standing, above their historic median on data back to 1992. That is somewhat surprising given the widespread weakness in Europe. Part of the reason is that about 12% of UK exports go to the US where growth is performing much better. Still, the UK’s top 25 export markets account for 54% of UK exports that go to Europe.

Stocks of finished goods on hand weaken on the month falling to +11 from +18 in January and are now not much different from their average over 3-months, 6-months, and 12-months.

The outlook for output volume over the next 3-months slipped from +7 in January to +4 in February but the +4 reading, while a step back, is consistent with the past averages. Output expectations are in their lower third historic ranking at a 33.5 percentile standing, weaker than export orders on a standing basis but in line with total orders.

Pricing is a surprise...prices were last higher than this in July of last year. Prices had slipped to a reading of +7 in December and +9 in January but have now jumped in February to +17. This compares to a 12-Month average of 15, and three-month and six-month averages at +11. The UK has been showing inflation progress that has been substantial and ongoing in terms of the Consumer index followed and targeted by the Bank of England. The CBI survey reading suggests there has been a sharp reversal for industrial prices in February. Globally goods prices have been weak along with the manufacturing sector. But now CBI industrial prices’ standing has been boosted to their 77th percentile, a reading that is quite firm and bordering on "strong".

The UK survey is a mixed report in February largely because of the inflation reading. Orders show some welcome rise is in progress. Expected output backed-off some of the recent acceleration but remains around recent average levels that show weak expansion. However, prices are sharply higher. With the UK registering recession now and the Bank of England focused on getting control of inflation, this pop in the CBI inflation survey metric is unwelcome news.