India’s service sector industry growth accelerated to its fastest pace, driven by a surge in domestic and foreign demand. Output was raised in response to a marked improvement in new work inflows and increased levels of business confidence. The trend in employment remained comparatively subdued, with a slight decrease in jobs signaled for the first time since September of last year. The seasonally adjusted Nikkei India Services Business Activity Index rose to 54.7 in August from 51.9 in July. The index posted its highest level for over three-and-a-half years and signaled expansion in each of the past 14 months.
The seasonally adjusted Nikkei India Composite PMI Output Index which measures both manufacturing and services, climbed to a 42 month high at 54.6 in August from 52.4 in July, with a stronger improvement in private sector economic activity. The level of incoming new work rose at the quickest pace for three-and-a-half years. Where an expansion was registered, companies mainly linked this to improved market conditions. Similarly, manufacturing order books increased at a sharp rate that was the quickest since December 2014.
Price pressures in the service sector remained subdued in August. Average costs declined marginally for the second successive month, which firms attributed to lower diesel, fuel and vegetable prices. Meanwhile, average service charges ticked higher. Goods producers signaled further increases in purchase costs and factory gate charges, although rates of inflation eased in both cases. The numbers of in-house staff fell, as firms remained somewhat uncertain regarding the sustainability of the upturn in demand. However, a further uptick in backlogs, the sharpest in nearly two years may lead service providers to create jobs in coming months. The index pointed to additional pressure on the capacity of private sector companies in India as outstanding business rose at manufacturers and service providers alike. Rates of accumulation were at 32- and 22-month highs respectively.
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