In November 2007, the industrial production fell by 1.8% compared to October, when it had grown 3.3%, in the seasonally adjusted series.  In the comparison wit November 2006, there was expansion of 6.7%. The index accumulated in the year (6.0%) as well as the index accumulated in the last twelve months (5.5%) had results above the ones registered in October (5.9% and 5.3% respectively).

The decrease observed in the production, between October and November 2007, had a generalized profile and reached 18 among 27 surveyed groups. The main negative results came from automotive vehicles (-3.9%), after increasing 7.7% in the previous month, edition and printing (-5.8%) and food products (-1.9%).  Among the industrial segments with growth, pharmaceuticals (5.7%) and basic metallurgy (1.3%) brought the most relevant positive influences.

All the categories of use had decrease in the comparison with October 2007, with the exception of capital goods (1.2%), which remained in expansion for the fourth consecutive month, accumulating gain of 8.6% in this period.  The segment of durable consumer goods registered the worst result (-2.6%), after increasing 1.2% from September to October.  The production of intermediate goods (-0.7%) and of semi and non durable consumer goods (-0.6%) decreased, after presenting positive rates in October (2.6% and 1.6%, respectively).

In the comparison November 2007/ November 2006, the industrial activity increased 6.7%, with 21 among 27 sectors with positive rates.  Among these, the major influences on the overall average came from automotive vehicles (23.3%), as a consequence of the manufacturing of automobiles and trucks, and from the sector of machines and equipment (18.3%), due to the major production of harvesting machines and loader-transporters.  It is also worth mentioning, the performance of electric machines, equipment and material (20.0%), influenced mainly, by the hike in the production of transformers.  Among the activities with decrease in the production, the major influence on the overall industry came from pharmaceuticals (-1.7%), wood (-6.5%) and other transportation equipment (-5.7%).

Still in the comparison November 2007/ November 2006, capital goods (24.3%) registered the major growth, being the only category of use which had a two digit rate since the beginning of the year, in this type of comparison.  In November 2007, the performance of this category was influenced by the good performance of all its sub-sectors, especially capital goods for transportation, which increased 22.1%, supported mainly in the increase in the production of trucks; and vans, delivery vans and pick-ups for transportation of goods, and capital goods of mixed use (21.1%), influenced by items associated to computer equipment and mobile telephony.  The sector of durable consumer goods maintained a sequence of nine months of growth and registered a rate of 11.1%.  In this segment, stood out, mainly, the influence of the increase in the manufacturing of automobiles (21.5%), once household equipment (3.6%) and mobile telephones (-0.4%) had rates below the average of the category.  The performance of intermediate goods (4.8%) was positively influenced by the performance of the sub-sectors of elaborated industrial inputs (3.8%) and parts and accessories for industrial transportation equipment (15.9%), due, respectively, to the major manufacturing of cellulose and herbicides, and vehicle parts. Stood out, also the contribution which came from inputs for construction (6.7%).  On the other hand, food products and elaborated beverages for industry (-5.9%) and fuels and basic lubricants (-3.1%) influenced negatively the overall result of the category, due to the influence of the decreases observed in the items sugar and petroleum.  The production of semi and non-durable consumer goods (4.1%) was sustained, mainly, by the good performance of fuels (16.0%) and food products and elaborated beverages for domestic consumption (3.1%), influenced by the high production of alcohol and soft drinks, respectively.

Growth in the production of automotive vehicles represented major influence in the overall industry in the index accumulated January- November 2007

In the indicator accumulated January - November, compared to the similar period of 2006, the total growth of industry was 6.0%, with 22 activities showing increase in the production.  The manufacturing of automotive vehicles (15.1%) maintained the leadership in terms of influence on the overall indicator, being automobiles and its parts the major highlights.  Other relevant positive contributions on the overall result came from machines and equipment (17.8%), especially due to the items microwave ovens and plant centers, and the sectors of electric machines, equipment and material (13.8%), other chemical products (5.7%) and basic metallurgy (6.7%), as a consequence of the increase in the production of transformers; herbicides; and carbon steel plates or slugs, ingots and blocks, respectively.  On the other hand, among the five activities with decrease, stood out the decreases observed in electronic material and communication equipment (-2.7%) and tobacco (-8.1%).

Still in the index accumulated January - November, all the categories of use had positive rates, especially capital goods (19.5%), the only one with a two – digit rate, followed by durable consumer goods (9.0%), which also remained above the average of the industry.  The segments of intermediate goods (4.7%) and semi and non-durable consumer goods (3.0%) increased below the overall average.

 The reduction of 1.8%, from October to November 2007, although of generalized profile, was especially influenced by the decrease in automotive vehicles (-3.9%).  It is worth mentioning that the rate of -1.8% was influenced by a high base of comparison, since October had an increase of 3.3% compared to September, reaching a new maximum level of production, combined with the lower number of working days in November 2007.

Nevertheless in other comparisons, the month of November registered relevant performances: compared to the same month of 2006, the index reached 6.7%, a result above the average growth of the ten previous months, which increased to 6.0% the rate of the indicator accumulated of the year, compared to the percentage of 5.9% observed in October.  It is worth mentioning the leadership of the sector of capital goods, registered in indexes with different comparisons, showing the maintenance of a positive scenario for investments.