Industry has a drop in production and employment in April

Industrial production fell from March to April this year – the production evolution index stood at 42.6 points, below the 50-point cut-off line that separates the fall from production growth. The index is 2.2 points lower than the average for the month of April, according to the Industrial Survey survey, released this Wednesday (17) by the National Confederation of Industry (CNI).

According to the study, in addition to production, industrial employment also registered a drop last month. The evolution index for the number of employees was 48 points – 1.5 points less than in March. The indicator, according to the CNI, has remained below the cut-off line since October 2022, “which shows that for six months employment has not grown in a widespread manner in the industry”.

investment intention

The research also shows that, in May, the investment intention dropped by 0.7 points, reaching 52.9 points. In 2023, the index, according to the CNI, presents alternating moderate highs and lows. “However, the drop in May, 0.7 points, was a little more intense, and puts the indicator at the lowest level since August 2020”.

Entrepreneurs’ optimism

“All expectations indices retreated in May 2023. The expectation index for the number of employees retreated 0.6 points compared to April, registering 49.9 points. This result signals stability in the number of hires for the coming months”, highlighted the CNI.

The index of expectation of exported quantity showed the biggest monthly drop: a decrease of 2.2 points, reaching 50.2 points, practically on the dividing line.

The demand expectation index registered 53.6 points, which represents a drop of 1.5 points compared to the previous month. Furthermore, the raw material purchase expectation index was 51.7 points, a result 1.4 points lower than in April.