Manufacturers report weak orders, says CBI

The latest monthly Industrial Trends Survey showed orders for both home and export consumption to be at their lowest levels since the end of last year Prospects for manufacturers' output growth over the course of the next three months have also softened. Output is expected to be flat over the next three months, following two previous surveys in which manufacturers expected output to increase. Output prices are also expected to be flat over the coming quarter for the third consecutive month. Anna Leach, CBI head of economic analysis, said: "Overall demand for manufactured goods has eased back this month, led by a weakening in the consumer goods sector following a strong July figure. This sector also contributed to the weakening in output expectations for the next three months, alongside investment goods. "The economic environment for UK manufacturers remains challenging, with domestic demand relatively muted and the ongoing eurozone crisis now seeming to drag on broader global economic momentum."