Confidence in manifacturing and construction

In October the seasonally adjusted confidence indicator in manufacturing fell from 94.5 in
September to 94.0. Assessments on order books worsened, while production expectations and inventories remain unchanged. Differences emerged at sector and geographical level.
According to the quarterly questions, in the third quarter 2011 the rate of capacity utilisation rose to 71.8 % compared to 71.6 % in the previous quarter. The length of production assured by current order books worsened at 3.1 months (3.2 in the previous quarter).
In September the seasonally adjusted confidence index in construction rose to 78.6 from 77.1 in August. Assessments of order books improved (balance from -54 to -50) and employment expectations worsened (the balance from -17 to -18).