The sector recorded a net weighted balance of +12%, with a weighted 24% of manufacturers expecting conditions to improve and 12% anticipating a weaker business environment compared with Q2. The remaining 64% expected conditions to remain unchanged. Precision engineering was the most optimistic cluster, recording a net weighted balance of +55%. For Q3, manufacturers reported an overall net weighted output forecast of +26%. Net weighted balances indicate the direction of expectations and do not represent actual percentage changes in output or employment.