The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said on Tuesday its monthly factory
orders balance rose to -9 in September from -25 in August — a two-month 36-point
gain, the largest since the series began 49 years ago. The report said the UK
economy has shown recent resilience and manufacturing output grew robustly. The
survey's output-expectations indicator for the coming months improved. The
expected-prices index fell to 12 from August's 22 but is at its highest level
since March. CBI senior economist Cameron Mather said there are increasing signs
manufacturers' operating conditions are stabilising.
