Value of Net Sales continued to pick up as it posted a year-on-year increase of 3.3 percent in July 2007. This was due to the improved sales performance of ten (10) major sectors, with significant two-digit increases reported by the following: non-metallic mineral products, beverages, transport equipment, tobacco and furniture and fixtures. Refer to Tables 2-A and 3.

On a month-on-month comparison, however, Value of Net Sales went down by 0.4 percent in July 2007 compared to the previous month's (revised) increase of 1.6 percent. This was due to the two-digit month-on-month decreases reported by two (2) major sectors, offsetting the two-digit increases reported by four (4) major sectors. Refer to Tables 2-A and 3.

Volume of Net Sales also recovered with a year-on-year increase of 2.1 percent in July 2007 from a drop of 0.9 percent in June 2007. Major sectors that boosted the overall growth in sales volume were the following: furniture and fixtures, beverages, non-metallic mineral products, tobacco, transport equipment and miscellaneous manufactures. Refer to Tables 2-B and 4.

On a month-on-month basis, Volume of Net Sales shrank 0.9 percent in July 2007 from its (revised) 1.1 percent growth in the previous month. This was due to the two-digit month-on-month decreases reported by three (3) major sectors, offsetting the two-digit increases reported by four (4) major sectors. Refer to Tables 2-B and 4.

Average capacity utilization in July 2007 for total manufacturing was estimated at 80.3 percent. Major sectors that registered more than 80% capacity utilization rates were the following: leather products, machinery excluding electrical, petroleum products, electrical machinery, basic metals, miscellaneous manufactures, paper and paper products, rubber products, publishing and printing, chemical products and food manufacturing. Refer to Table 6.

The proportion of establishments that operated at full capacity (90% to 100%) was 11.2 percent in July 2007. More than half or 56.5 percent of the establishments operated at 70% to 89% capacity and 32.3 percent of the establishments operated below 70% capacity.

The response rates for the July 2007 MISSI and PPS are 88.1 percent and 90.2 percent, respectively. Refer to Tables 7 and 8.

Starting 2006, weights for the Producer Price Index (PPI) are based from the results of the 2003 Annual Survey of Philippine Business and Industry (ASPBI) for manufacturing establishments with average total employment (ATE) of 20 and over.

Data of non-responding sample establishments are estimated based on previous records and other available sources. Revisions to the preliminary estimates are done upon receipt of actual reports of late respondents.