UK manufacturing output was broadly unchanged in the three months to April, with the CBI Industrial Trends output balance improving to -2 from -18 in the previous quarter.

• Domestic new orders remained weak at -13 (up from -20), while export orders edged up to -4 (from -23); both are expected to decline further to -11 and -18, respectively, by July.
• Total order books were still in a decline at -26, but a slightly weaker decline than -29 in March.
• Export order books deteriorated sharply to -41 in April, down from -29 in March and the weakest since December 2020 (excluding November 2024).

• Headcount fell at the fastest pace since October 2020, with the employment balance dropping to -16 (from -8); expectations for July are at -11.

• Average costs rose at a faster rate, with the cost balance at +48 (up from +43), and firms expect further pressure with a projected rise to +57.
• Business sentiment continued to deteriorate in April (-33, from -4 in January). Export optimism for the year ahead also weakened further (-35, from -41). 
• Investment intentions remain subdued, including buildings (-38), plant & machinery (-33), and product/process innovation (-22).

• Half of respondents cited political or economic conditions abroad as a factor likely to limit their export orders in the quarter to July, the highest proportion since April 2021.