The total turnover of quarterly financial statistics (QFS) industries1 in the fourth quarter of 2018 was estimated at R2 571 935 million (R2,57 trillion), an increase of 5,5% compared with the third quarter of 2018 (R2 437 112 million or R2,44 trillion).

Between the third and fourth quarters of 2018, turnover increased in six of the eight industries covered by the survey. The largest percentage increase in turnover was recorded in manufacturing (+7,1%), followed by real estate and other business services (excluding financial intermediation and insurance) (+6,9%), trade (+6,3%), community, social and personal services (excluding government and educational institutions) (+6,3%), transport, storage and communication (+6,0%) and mining and quarrying (+4,9%). Decreases were recorded for electricity, gas and water supply (-17,1%) and construction (-0,9%).

Total closing inventories at the end of the fourth quarter of 2018 were estimated at R925 168 million, a decrease of 0,4% compared with R929 133 million at the end of the third quarter of 2018. Decreases were recorded for real estate and other business services (excluding financial intermediation and insurance) (-22,8%), community, social and personal services (excluding government and educational institutions) (-15,1%), mining and quarrying (-9,5%), construction (-7,9%), manufacturing (-5,9%) and transport, storage and communication (-1,5%). Increases were recorded in trade (+11,2%) and electricity, gas and water supply (+4,2%).

Total capital expenditure on property, plant and equipment was estimated at R96 141 million in the fourth quarter of 2018, an increase of 6,1% compared with R90 619 million in the third quarter of 2018. The largest percentage increase was recorded in mining and quarrying (+19,7%), followed by manufacturing (+6,7%), transport, storage and communication (+5,0%), real estate and other business services (excluding financial intermediation and insurance) (+3,7%) and electricity, gas and water supply (+1,0%). Decreases were recorded for construction (-14,1%), community, social and personal services (excluding government and educational institutions) (-11,6%) and trade (-1,0%).

Turnover was estimated at R2 571 935 million in the fourth quarter of 2018, an increase of 3,6% compared with R2 483 403 million in the fourth quarter of 2017. Five of the eight industries covered by the survey reflected an annual increase. The largest percentage increase in turnover was recorded in community, social and personal services (excluding government and educational institutions) (+12,2%), followed by transport, storage and communication (+9,5%), manufacturing (+8,5%), mining and quarrying (+6,1%) and real estate and other business services (excluding financial intermediation and insurance) (+0,4%). Decreases were recorded in construction (-8,6%), electricity, gas and water supply (-2,2%) and trade (-0,2%). 1All industries in the South African economy, excluding agriculture, financial intermediation, insurance, government and educational institutions.