The first quarter 2010 ‘Manufacturing Outlook’ report reveals a larger than expected improvement in output and orders over the past three months and a broad based return of confidence across manufacturing. Companies’ are consequently the most upbeat since the financial crisis began in mid-2007. However, the fortunes of individual sectors have been very mixed. Electronics stands out as one of the strongest performing sectors whilst motor vehicles, helped by the scrappage scheme, also saw an increase in the output balance for the first time 2008q3.
