Factory PMI slows to 53.2 in December from eleven-month high in November

02 Jan 2019 Evaluate

After hitting an eleven-month high, the Indian manufacturing sector slowed down in the month of December, despite easing cost inflationary pressures. Growth was curtailed by competitive pressures, labour issues and challenging public policies. As per the survey report, the Nikkei India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) - a composite single-figure indicator of manufacturing performance - eased to 53.2 in December from 54 in November. Nevertheless, despite a slight deceleration, the manufacturing sector activity expanded for the 17th consecutive month as the PMI reading stood above the watershed 50 mark, which differentiates growth from contraction.

The report also said that output continued to rise strongly, supported by technological progress and greater sales. The rise in production was among the quickest seen in 2018, despite easing from November. Further, companies experienced greater inflows of new orders, on the back of expanded client bases, stronger demand and fruitful advertising. International markets contributed to sales growth, with exports rising for the fourteenth month in a row. The report also noted that employment continued to expand in December, but companies still signalled increased volumes of work-in-hand. The upturn in jobs was the slowest in four months, while backlogs were accumulated to the quickest extent since May. 

On the inflation front, the rate of input cost inflation eased to a 34-month low, which translated into broadly no change in factory gate charges. However, goods producers reported that higher prices for materials, especially steel, resulted in another increase in overall cost burdens. The rise was marginal and much softer than seen on average over the survey history.

© 2026 The Alchemists Ark Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved. MoneyWorks4Me ® is a registered trademark of The Alchemists Ark Pvt. Ltd.

×