Factory output rises to 11-month high in Nov

The Nikkei India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) was recorded at 54 in November, up from 53.1 in October. This was the third consecutive monthly increase in the index. It also said manufacturing operating conditions in India strengthened for the third successive month in November as healthier inflows of new orders encouraged companies to lift production and input buying to greater extent than in October.

An index reading of above 50 indicates an overall increase in economic activity and below 50 indicates an overall decrease.

“The Indian manufacturing sector continued to recover from ground lost in August, with November seeing the headline PMI climb to an 11-month high,” said Pollyanna De Lima, Principal Economist at IHS Markit and author of the report.

She noted that the “relatively weak demand environment seen earlier in the year showed signs of abating, with clients unfazed by another round of increases in output prices and placing more orders regardless.” The Nikkei report said “heated demand” put higher pressure on capacities, which was reflected in a renewed increase in outstanding businesses. “Buoyed by stronger demand conditions and greater sales, manufacturers increased production at the second-quickest pace since October 2016,” said the report.