Increase in sales prices
The main increases – direct purchase and transport – concern oil and its derivatives, aluminum, steel, tungsten, helium and cement.more strongly affect industrialists and construction companies who were not able to pass them on as quickly in their sales prices“. Another observation from this survey, the cash flow situations emerge “just » in balance in the industry and remain under tension in the commercial sectors of IT, accommodation and catering. By sector, in the industry, activity has progressed beyond expectations in all major branches. “The permanent workforce has generally changed little, with an increased use of temporary worksummarizes the Banque de France Occitanie.The cash flow is considered balanced overall and the order books are satisfactory, with the exception of those of equipment manufacturers. »Â Concerning the outlook for the sector, growth should continue at a more moderate pace in May due in particular to a lower number of days worked: “Sales prices would continue to increase under the effect of the tensions observed on raw materials and components, linked to the current conflict. »
The transport sector impacted by the conflict in the Middle East
In April, business trends in merchant services were “dynamic» mainly in transport, accommodation and catering with staff numbers adjusted accordingly. “The conflict in the Middle East has a direct impact on transport and, more gradually, on other sectors, leading to cash flow tensions.†In this context, business leaders want to be “très prudents» as to their forecasts for next month. Finally, in construction, growth in construction activity has slowed down due to customer wait-and-see attitude. The quote prices only partially took into account the price increases for raw materials and fuel and the workforce remained generally stable. “In May, a drop in activity as well as further price increases are expectedfurther clarifies this study.In public works, activity in the first quarter of 2026 was slowed down by bad weather and the electoral cycle, but it should progress again in the second quarter, accompanied by recruitment and price increases.. »
