Producer confidence falls slightly

Producer confidence has fallen from 10.9 in February to 9.5 in March, but confidence remains well above the long-term average of 0.8. In March 2018, producers were particularly less positive about expected business activity than last month. The producers surveyed were also less positive about their order portfolio. Producers in the wood and building materials industry were the most positive in March, followed by the transport equipment sector. The companies surveyed are particularly positive about employment. Almost 21 percent of entrepreneurs expect employment to grow, compared to only 6 percent who expect a decline. With a balance of 15 percent, this is the highest value in 28 years. Production rose by more than 7 percent in January compared to January 2017. That is according to CBS the largest increase since February 2011.