The total turnover of quarterly financial statistics (QFS) industries1 in the fourth quarter of 2022 was estimated at R3 257 425 million (R3,26 trillion), a decrease of 0,6% compared with the third quarter of 2022 (R3 278 710 million or R3,28 trillion).

Between the third and fourth quarters of 2022, turnover decreased in five industries covered by the survey. The largest percentage decrease in turnover was recorded in electricity, gas and water supply (-16,2%), followed by real estate and other business services (excluding financial intermediation and insurance) (-9,9%), mining and quarrying (-8,8%), transport, storage and communication (-1,3%) and community, social and personal services (excluding government and educational institutions) (-0,7%). Increases were recorded in trade (+4,6%), construction (+3,1%) and manufacturing (+1,2%).

Total closing inventories at the end of the fourth quarter of 2022 were estimated at R1 243 111 million, an increase of 1,5% compared with R1 225 122 million at the end of the third quarter of 2022. Increases were recorded for construction (+9,4%), mining and quarrying (+8,3%), manufacturing (+6,9%), community, social and personal services (excluding government and educational institutions) (+4,3%) and electricity, gas and water supply (+0,1). Decreases were recorded in real estate and other business services (excluding financial intermediation and insurance) (-23,3%), transport, storage and communication (-14,5%) and trade (-4,8%).

Total capital expenditure on property, plant and equipment was estimated at R111 145 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, an increase of 15,5% compared with R96 223 million in the third quarter of 2022. The largest percentage increase was recorded in electricity, gas and water supply (+42,0%), followed by manufacturing (+39,9%), trade (+19,5%), mining and quarrying (+16,3%) and transport, storage and communication (+0,7%). Decreases were recorded in community, social and personal services (excluding government and educational institutions) (-27,3%), construction (-25,3%) and real estate and other business services (excluding financial intermediation and insurance) (-3,8%).

Turnover was estimated at R3 257 425 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, an increase of 7,4% compared with R3 034 137 million in the fourth quarter of 2021. Six of the eight industries covered by the survey reflected annual increases. The largest percentage increase in turnover was recorded in manufacturing (+16,0%), followed by trade (+12,7%), electricity, gas and water supply (+9,3%), transport, storage and communication (+6,9%), community, social and personal services (excluding government and educational institutions) (+6,7%) and construction (+3,7%). Decreases were recorded in real estate and other business services (excluding financial intermediation and insurance) (-13,6%) and mining and quarrying (-4,5%)