PROFITS remained steady for manufacturers in the third-quarter of last year, figures have showed.
The rate of return for companies in the sector was estimated at 9.1 per cent - the same as the previous quarter and higher than the average of seven per cent for the whole of 2003, the Office for National Statistics said.
Other data has suggested the manufacturing sector is weakening, although analysts said the profitability could be a result of job cuts.
A survey released on Tuesday by the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply showed nearly 13 per cent of manufacturers said they had cut staffing levels to offset rising costs.
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