Manufacturing order books weakened in the three months to March, but remained well above their long-run average, according to the latest monthly CBI Industrial Trends Survey. According to the survey of 381 manufacturers, export order books remained unchanged and above the long-run average. Output continued to grow robustly in the three months to March, but at a slower pace than in the three months to February. Output growth was broad-based, increasing in 14 out of 17 manufacturing sub-sectors. Growth was predominantly driven by Motor Vehicle and Transport Equipment, Chemicals and Electronic Engineering. Respondents ... (full story)