Manufacturing industry expects to invest more

The autumn 2007 estimates by manufacturers show that they expect substantially larger investments in 2007. They expect a 10 percent increase on 2006 in the value of capital goods. This will be the third increase in a row.

Manufacturers are less optimistic this autumn than last spring, when they foresaw an increase of 19 percent. It is not unusual for companies to adjust their expectations in the course of time, as they gain more insight into delays, postponements or acceleration of expected investment projects.

The prospects for 2008 also look positive. Manufacturing companies expect investment growth to continue, by an estimated 4 percent. This is a sign that investment growth is slowing down. For 2008, all sectors in manufacturing are optimistic about investments, with the exception of the food industry.

Investments by manufacturing companies (2007 and 2008 based on expectations)