PROFITABILITY AND EARNINGS
At the total manufacturing level, indicators of profitability showed similarly strong increases (in percentage terms) to the increase in IVA. This reflects the extent to which prices received rose by more than expenses. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) increased in 2006-07 by 13%, or $4.5b, with the majority of this growth driven by Primary metal and metal product manufacturing (up $3.5b or 54%).
The manufacturing industry improved its operating profit before tax (OPBT) returns by 19% (or $4.8b) during 2006-07, earning $30.7b. Total trading profit for the manufacturing industry in 2006-07 was $97.0b.