Trading Economics: A Guide to Economic Statistics for Practitioners and Students

Appendix 1 Surveys

The below is an example, using the CBI Industrial Trends Survey for reference, of the survey questions respondents are typically asked. The strength of the survey can be judged by viewing responses to these questions alongside trends in the UK economy.

CBI INDUSTRIAL TRENDS SURVEY

Monthly Questions (all exclude seasonal variations)

Do you consider that, in volume terms:

1. Q1a Your present total order book is:

   Above normal/Normal/Below normal/NA

2. Q1b Your present export order book is:

   Above normal/Normal/Below normal/NA

3. Q2 Your present stocks of finished goods are:

   More than adequate

   Adequate

   Less than adequate

   N/A

What is the expected trend over the next four months with regard to:

1. Q3 Your volume of output:

   Up/Same/Down/NA

2. Q4 Your average prices at which domestic orders are booked:

   Up/Same/Down/NA

Quarterly Questions (numbers 5–12 inclusive exclude seasonal variations)

1. Q1 Are you more, or less, optimistic than you were four months ago about the general business situation in your industry?

   More/Same/Less

2. Q2 Are you more, or less, optimistic about your export prospects for the next 12 months than you were four months ago?

   More/Same/Less/NA

3. Q3 Do you expect to authorise more or less capital expenditure in the next 12 months than you authorised in the past 12 months on:

   1. buildings:

      More/Same/Less NA

   2. plant and machinery:

      More/Same/Less/NA

4. Q4 Is your present level of output below capacity (i.e. Are you working below a satisfactory ...