UK industrial orders remain in the doldrums, CBI says

LONDON, Feb 19 (Reuters) - British industrial orders have fallen heavily again and price pressures remain high, the Confederation of British Industry said on Thursday.

The CBI's monthly order book balance stood at -28 in February compared with -30 in January. The index level remains well below its long-run average of -14.

Britain's manufacturers - who account for about 9% of British economic output - have had to contend with a surge in energy costs, the fallout from U.S. President Donald Trump's trade tariffs and high interest rates.

The survey's gauge of expected prices stood at +26 having risen to +29 in January, the highest reading since February 2023 when Britain was suffering from an energy price shock following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Cameron Martin, CBI senior economist, said many firms reported their customers were still cautious due to low confidence and the strong cost pressures.

The survey was based on responses from 305 manufacturers received between January 26 and February 12.