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Manufacturers sentiment edges up, but investment expected to be flat
Sentiment among manufacturers improved for the first time in two years, according to the CBI’s quarterly Industrial Trends Survey for July. Output volumes stabilised in the three months to July, having fallen steadily since the February survey, and are expected to grow next quarter. Growth in domestic selling prices slowed for a fifth consecutive quarter in the three months to July, but growth in unit costs picked up, implying pressure on manufacturers’ margins. Investments intentions generally weakened, with rising shares of firms citing concerns about the availability of internal finance and the cost of ... (full story)