The UK’s total order book balance fell to -41 in May 2026 from -38 in April, slightly worse than market expectations of -40, CBI data showed. The reading is the lowest since September 2020 and well below its long-term average of -14. The Middle East conflict is feeding through to higher energy costs and renewed supply chain disruption, adding to challenges for manufacturers against an increasingly uncertain global backdrop. Weak demand persists, with selling price expectations rising to their strongest level since 2023. Output declined in 13 of 17 sub-sectors in the three months to May, led by falls in food, drink & tobacco, mechanical engineering, metal products, and paper, printing & media. Stocks of finished goods were seen as adequate, though the balance remained below historical norms. source: Confederation of British Industry
Factory Orders in the United Kingdom decreased to 41 Net Balance in May of 2026 over the previous month. Factory Orders in the United Kingdom averaged -18.20 Net Balance from 1977 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 26.00 Net Balance in November of 2021 and a record low of -79.00 Net Balance in October of 1980. This page provides the latest reported value for - United Kingdom CBI Industrial Trends Orders - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. United Kingdom CBI Industrial Trends Orders - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on May of 2026.
Factory Orders in the United Kingdom decreased to 41 Net Balance in May of 2026 over the previous month. Factory Orders in the United Kingdom is expected to be -46.00 Net Balance by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the United Kingdom CBI Industrial Trends Orders is projected to trend around -16.00 Net Balance in 2027 and -10.00 Net Balance in 2028, according to our econometric models.