UK Factory Orders Lowest Since 2020 📉
The Confederation of British Industry's monthly net balance of new orders decreased to -40 in December 2024, the lowest since November 2020, indicating a deterioration in total order books and export order books, as well as an increase in stocks of finished goods.
The article suggests a significant deterioration in the manufacturing sector in the UK, with weakening external demand, political instability in Europe, and uncertainty over US trade policy, as well as a collapse in domestic business confidence following the Budget. This is likely to have a significant negative impact on the investment portfolio, which includes exposure to the European and UK markets through the S&P 500, European market, and CAC 40 positions, as well as exposure to the manufacturing sector through positions in companies like Apple, Microsoft, and AMD.