- The number of workers indicator stood at 48.9 points, placing it for the second consecutive month below the expansion threshold. for the second consecutive month below the expansion threshold.

- 27% of companies mentioned that lower external demand hindered their performance in the current month. performance in the current month.

Manufacturing in Nuevo León slowed at the end of the first quarter of the year, based on CAINTRA's economic expectations indicator. the year, based on CAINTRA's economic expectations indicator. For the third of the year, with timely figures, all indicators showed a contraction, with the exception of prices for both products and raw materials. prices of both products and raw materials.

In greater detail, the physical volume of production decreased with respect to the previous month and reached 46.4 points. reached 46.4 points. Similarly, the inventories index decreased by 2 points to below the expansion threshold at 49.6 points. below the expansion threshold at 49.6 points.

In line with the trend, the new orders and capacity utilization indices also contracted, with both both their second consecutive month below the threshold with revised figures. revised figures. On the one hand, new orders scored 45.0 points, and on the other, the capacity utilization index scored 46.1 points. capacity utilization index scored 46.1 points.

Likewise, the number of workers indicator stood at 48.9 points, placing it for the second consecutive month below the expansion threshold, ending a 3-year streak. for the second consecutive month below the expansion threshold, ending a streak of three consecutive years of expansion. consecutive years of expansion.

In terms of foreign trade, both indicators recorded their fourth consecutive month of contraction, down one point from the previous month. contracted for the fourth consecutive month, dropping one point from the previous month. Exports stood at 47.3 and imports at 46.3 points.

With respect to price indicators, both registered a decrease with respect to the previous month. previous month. The product price indicator reached 52.5 points, while the raw materials price indicator stood at 54.1 points. raw materials price indicator reached 54.1 points.

In terms of the main obstacles for companies, the shortage of trained personnel increased with respect to February, affecting 36% of companies. increased with respect to February, affecting 36% of companies. On the other hand, the insecurity is becoming an increasingly important problem for Nuevo León's industry, affecting in March Nuevo León, affecting 29% of companies in March. In addition, 27% of the companies mentioned that a lower external demand companies mentioned that lower external demand hindered their performance in the current month. month.

Finally, 35% of the industrialists made some investment in machinery and equipment.

Expectation indicators seek to provide qualitative information on the current situation of the manufacturing industry in Nuevo Leon, through the perspective of company managers on various variables related to their operations. Nuevo León, through the perspective of company managers on various variables related to their operations. For this purpose, businessmen are asked month by month how a list of variables behaved in relation to the previous period. They have the possibility of answering: much lower, lower, equal, higher, much higher. With this, an index is The importance of this index lies in the fact that, if the number obtained is above 50 points, the variable is in expansion; but if it is below 50 points, the variable is in expansion; but if it is below 50 points, the variable is in expansion. If it is below 50 points, the variable is expanding; if it is below 50 points, it is contracting.

CAINTRA NUEVO LEÓN