Chiba Prefecture Business Conditions Survey (2007).pdf

Worsened by 3.6 points to -4.5, the worst in 3 periods.
- Manufacturing: Worsened by 7.2 points to -11.4, both large and small enterprises deteriorated.
- Non-manufacturing: Improved by 0.3 points to 3.4.
- Food products, iron & steel, and metal products worsened, while services, electric machinery, and retail improved.
- Future outlook: Overall BSI expected to improve by 1.6 points, but manufacturing is expected to worsen.

- Sales BSI Index:
- Overall: Decreased by 1.2 points to -0.3, the second consecutive decrease.
- Manufacturing: Decreased by 1.5 points to -3.8, the first decrease in 7 periods.
- Non-manufacturing: Improved by 0.9 points to 3.7.
- Hotels & restaurants, transportation equipment, and services improved, while metal products, iron & steel, and wholesale trade worsened.
- Future outlook: Slight improvement expected.

- Production, Operations, Orders, and Inventory BSI Index:
- Production: Manufacturing BSI worsened by 6.4 points to -2.8, both large and small enterprises deteriorated.
- Operations: Manufacturing BSI worsened by 5.8 points to -1.9, both large and small enterprises deteriorated.
- Orders: Manufacturing BSI worsened by 7.7 points to -4.9, the first decrease in 4 periods.
- Inventory: Overall BSI improved by 1.2 points to 2.6, the fifth consecutive increase. Manufacturing BSI improved by 2.4 points to 2.1, both large and small enterprises deteriorated.
- Future outlook: Production and orders expected to improve, inventory expected to decrease.

- Capital Expenditure:
- Actual investment in 06: +4.8% compared to 05.
- Initial plan: -1.1% compared to the previous year.
- Actual investment in manufacturing SMEs: +45.4% compared to the initial plan.

- Employment BSI Index:
- Overall: Decreased by 3.6 points to -4.5, the 11th consecutive decrease.

- Future Outlook:
- Business conditions, sales, and orders are expected to improve, while inventory is expected to decrease.