The UK’s total order book balance fell to -32 in October 2026, down from -9 in September and well below market expectations of -20, according to a survey by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). The reading points to a sharp deterioration in new orders, highlighting continued challenges facing the UK manufacturing sector. CBI Senior Economist Cameron Martin said that persistently high costs were squeezing profitability, while weakening competitiveness and fragile business confidence continued to weigh on investment decisions. However, the survey’s quarterly measure of output expectations improved to -1 from -30 in July, suggesting a potential stabilization in manufacturing activity in the months ahead. Meanwhile, the quarterly gauge of domestic price expectations rose to +24 from +11, indicating that manufacturers anticipate stronger price pressures. source: Confederation of British Industry

Factory Orders in the United Kingdom decreased to 32 Net Balance in October of 2026 over the previous month. Factory Orders in the United Kingdom averaged -18.31 Net Balance from 1977 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 26.00 Net Balance in November of 2021 and a record low of -79.00 Net Balance in October of 1980. This page provides the latest reported value for - United Kingdom CBI Industrial Trends Orders - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. United Kingdom CBI Industrial Trends Orders - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on November of 2026.

Factory Orders in the United Kingdom decreased to 32 Net Balance in October of 2026 over the previous month. Factory Orders in the United Kingdom is expected to be -6.00 Net Balance by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the United Kingdom CBI Industrial Trends Orders is projected to trend around -16.00 Net Balance in 2027 and -10.00 Net Balance in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-09-22 10:00 AM
CBI Industrial Trends Orders
Sep -9 -25 -34 -40
2026-10-22 10:00 AM
CBI Industrial Trends Orders
Oct -32 -9 -20 -18
2026-11-20 11:00 AM
CBI Industrial Trends Orders
Nov -32


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Electricity Price 194.66 198.54 GBP/MWh Oct 2026
Electricity Production 51855.70 68521.00 Gigawatt-hour Jun 2026
CBI Industrial Trends Orders -32.00 -9.00 Net Balance Oct 2026
Industrial Production YoY 1.60 0.80 percent Aug 2026
Industrial Production MoM 0.80 0.30 percent Aug 2026
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New Orders 9163.00 10395.00 GBP Million Jun 2026
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Business Investment QoQ 1.80 3.00 percent Jun 2026


United Kingdom CBI Industrial Trends Orders
In the United Kingdom, the Confederation of British Industry‘s Industrial Trends Survey of total order book balance tracks changes in the level of factory orders from around 500 companies across 38 sectors of manufacturing industry. The survey covers domestic and export orders, stocks, price, investment intentions and output expectations. For each variable, manufacturers are asked if present situation is above normal, normal or below normal. The results are presented as a weighted percentage balance, that is, the difference between the percentage of respondents replying more or up to each question minus the percentage replying less or down.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
-32.00 -9.00 26.00 -79.00 1977 - 2026 Net Balance Monthly
NSA

News Stream
UK Manufacturing Orders Deteriorate Sharply in October
The UK’s total order book balance fell to -32 in October 2026, down from -9 in September and well below market expectations of -20, according to a survey by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). The reading points to a sharp deterioration in new orders, highlighting continued challenges facing the UK manufacturing sector. CBI Senior Economist Cameron Martin said that persistently high costs were squeezing profitability, while weakening competitiveness and fragile business confidence continued to weigh on investment decisions. However, the survey’s quarterly measure of output expectations improved to -1 from -30 in July, suggesting a potential stabilization in manufacturing activity in the months ahead. Meanwhile, the quarterly gauge of domestic price expectations rose to +24 from +11, indicating that manufacturers anticipate stronger price pressures.
2026-10-22
UK Factory Orders Highest Since July 2023
The UK’s total order book balance improved to -9 in September 2026 from -25 in August, marking the strongest reading since July 2023 and beating market expectations of -34. Export orders also improved, while remaining below “normal” at -9, but well above the historical average of -19. Output fell only marginally, with the balance improving sharply to -4 from -17. Manufacturers expect output to decline slightly again through December, at -6. Selling-price expectations also eased considerably to +12 from +22 in August, moving closer to the long-run average of +8 and suggesting some cooling in cost pressures. However, finished-goods inventories were only just adequate, with the balance falling to +2. The CBI said the data point to tentative stabilisation in manufacturing, but warned that high energy, employment and supply-chain costs continue to constrain firms. It said the upcoming Budget could help support investment and growth by reducing business costs and improving confidence.
2026-09-22
UK Factory Orders Improve Sharply
The Confederation of British Industry’s monthly industrial order-book balance improved sharply to -25 in August 2026 from -45 in July, marking the strongest monthly increase in more than five years and above expectations of -40. Although the reading still indicates declining orders, the improvement suggests greater resilience in the UK manufacturing sector despite the ongoing economic impact of the Iran conflict. Expectations for factory output also strengthened, while export orders moved into positive territory for the first time since June 2022. However, manufacturers continue to face significant cost pressures. The survey showed that expectations for selling prices increased to +22 from +11 in July, likely reflecting the recent rebound in crude oil prices and renewed concerns over input costs.
2026-08-20