Positive sentiment continues for mfg sector in Q4, capacity utilisation up at 80%: FICCI survey

Sentiment in the manufacturing sector remains positive as overall capacity utilisation rose to 80 per cent in the fourth quarter, a survey by FICCI said.

According to FICCI's 'Quarterly Survey on Manufacturing', the overall sentiment in the manufacturing sector remains positive as the proportion of respondents reporting higher output growth (around 54 per cent) during the January-March 2018-19 remained the same as compared to the third quarter.

"First time in last many quarters, the overall capacity utilisation in manufacturing has witnessed an increase to 80 per cent in Q4 2018-19. It was hovering at 75 per cent for last many quarters," it added.

On hiring front, the outlook for the sector seems to have slightly improved for near future.

"While in Q4 of 2017-18, 70 per cent respondents mentioned that they were not likely to hire additional workforce, this percentage has come down to 62.5 per cent for Q4 of 2018-19," the survey pointed out.

In terms of order books, 44 per cent ...