SP Industry has 9.4% high and increases forecasts for the year
Valor Econômico - 11/30/2007
The level of activity of the São Paulo processing industry grew 2.7% in the month of October compared to September, according to the data with seasonal adjustment released by the Center and by the Federation of the Industries of the State (Ciesp and Fiesp). Compared to October/2006, it was a 9.4% high. The recovery over the month of September, when the Activity Level Index (INA) presented a 0.6% fall, with seasonal adjustment, was received by the entities as an indicator that the sector will keep the growth trajectory in the next months. The survey has also revealed that the level of use of the installed capacity of the industries reached 84.1%, the best result registered since October/2004, when the used capacity reached 84.2%. The sectors that presented the highest levels of use of the installed capacity were those of coke, refine of oil, alcohol and nuclear fuel (96.4%); basic metallurgy (94.6%), vehicles (91.1%), and paper and cellulose (90.6%). Sales have increased 4.2% in the month compared to September. The total of real salaries increased 2.3% and the number of hours worked in production registered an increase of 2.2%, always compared to September, with the seasonal adjustment. According to the INA survey, the growth in the general index was pulled up mainly by the increase in the production of the sector of non-metallic minerals, 3.5% in the month and 7% in 12 months. Another sector that has presented above-the-average growth was the sector of furniture, which registered a growth of 6.8% in month and 8.9% in the year. The performance led Fiesp to foresee a 5.3% growth for the year, with chances of similar expansion in 2008, due to the unexpected improvement in the activity in the end of the year.