November 2018

Q3 output bounced back to justify the positive forecast

Q3 OUTPUT BOUNCED BACK TO JUSTIFY THE POSITIVE FORECAST - SEASONAL BOOST TO EXTEND INTO Q4 DESPITE FRAGILITY IN CONFIDENCE

The UK printing industry has rebounded from a lacklustre Q2 to match the positive Q3 forecast, as far as output volumes are concerned - upbeat expectations for Q4 reveal optimism, at least in the short-term future. The latest Printing Outlook survey shows 44% of printers increased output levels in the third quarter of 2018.

A further 33% held output steady whilst 23% experienced a decline in output. The resulting balance (the difference between the ups and the downs) was +21; a significant turnaround on the -2 recorded in Q2 and just below the Q3 forecast of +23.

The Q3 period has benefited from the traditional seasonal boost, though for some this has come later into the quarter than expected. There is no shortage of comments referring to the difficulty of trading in sectors subject to intense competition and rising cost pressures.

In Printing Outlook this quarter:

• BPIF Brexit Barometers - to gauge and monitor confidence during Brexit negotiations and forecast conditions after Brexit.
• UK Printing and Packaging trends and forecasts - confidence, costs, pay reviews, capacity, productivity, margins, paper consumption, ink sales volumes, a new industry financial health analysis, insolvency statistics and more.
• Data, forecasts and commentary on the UK economy and the advertising sector.

Thanks again to all survey respondents for their participation, the survey has achieved a great response level this quarter. Sponsorship from Konica Minolta means all respondents will receive a printed copy of Printing Outlook. Please respond to the next survey in January to ensure that you receive your copy in the future.

The full Printing Outlook report is available as a free download to BPIF members using the 'More on Printing Outlook' web link below.

There is also an unrestricted press release available on the download link below.