SME Times News Bureau | 04 Feb, 2020
Rebound
in demand led to a surge in manufacturing production growth during January
2020, a survey report said on Monday.
Accordingly, the headline seasonally adjusted IHS Markit India Manufacturing
PMI expanded at a faster pace in January as firms responded positively to a
sharp improvement in demand by scaling-up production.
Consequently, the seasonally adjusted PMI reading rose to 52.7 in December to
55.3 in January, its highest level in just under eight years.
An index reading of above 50 indicates overall increase compared with the
previous month, and below 50 the decrease.
Industry-wise, the survey report said that consumer goods sub-sector remained
the brightest spot, although growth was sustained in intermediate goods and
capital goods moved back into expansion.
"The rise in total sales was supported by strengthening demand from
external markets, as noted by the fastest increase in new export orders since
November 2018. Manufacturers particularly noted higher sales to clients in
Asia, Europe and North America, with favourable exchange rates assisting the
upturn," the report said.
"In response to the pick-up in demand, Indian goods producers scaled up
production in January. Moreover, the rise was the strongest in over
seven-and-a-half years, with the rate of expansion much higher than its
long-run average."