--CBI: Net -23% UK firms say Mar total orders above normal
--CBI: Net 3% UK firms see output up in next 4 months
--CBI: UK manufacturers order books weakest since July 1999
--CBI: Net -14% UK firms see avg prices up in next 4 months
--CBI: Net -24% UK firms say Mar export order book above normal
--CBI: Net 20% UK firms say Mar stocks more than adequate
--CBI: Data indicate effect of US slowdown on UK may be serious
--CBI: UK manufacturers' stocks at highest level since Mar 1999

By Steve Ball
London, March 22 (BridgeNews) - The U.K. manufacturing sector continued to deteriorate in March, with demand for manufactured goods falling and manufacturers' expectations of their future output levels also declining. A negative balance of minus 23% said that order books were above normal in March, compared with minus 16% in February. The CBI said it was the most negative figure reported since July 1999.
* * * Expectations of future output declined to plus 3% from plus 9% in February, the weakest figures since November. Meanwhile stocks of finished goods rose to 20% from 19% in March, the highest level since March 1999. Export orders remained well below normal, with the balance standing at minus 24%, the same as in February.
CBI Chief Economist Kate Barker said: "This survey is further evidence that the troubles of the U.K.'s manufacturing sector are far from over. The U.S. slowdown may have a more serious impact on the U.K. than first predicted. Higher stock levels and falling demand are already causing companies to rein back their output plans."