Indian manufacturing activity remains sluggish at 30.8 in May

01 Jun 2020 Evaluate
Amid the ongoing coronavirus lockdown, Indian manufacturing activity declined sharply again in the month of May 2020, as weaker demand drove output lower following April's record decline. As per the survey report, the Nikkei India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) - a composite single-figure indicator of manufacturing performance -was at 30.8 in May from 27.4 in April. The latest reading pointed to another substantial decline in the health of the Indian manufacturing sector, albeit one that was slightly softer than recorded in April.

The survey report found that weak demand from international markets added to the deteriorating sales trend, with new business from abroad plunging further in May. Further, firms cut staff numbers at the quickest pace in the reported month since data collection began over 15 years ago. Similarly, goods producers needed fewer physical inputs in May and subsequently pared back their purchasing activity. The pace of decline was softer than in April, but remained historically marked.

On the price front, input prices faced by Indian manufacturers continued to fall. Though solid overall, the rate of reduction eased considerably from April's record. The report also said that firms opted to pass on lower costs to their clients, with another decrease in average output charges during May. In line with the trend for input prices, the latest reduction was far softer than that recorded in April.

Meanwhile, Indian manufacturers remained optimistic towards the one-year business outlook in May. Confidence was supported by expectations for a return to growth once all coronavirus-related restrictions are lifted. That said, the degree of positivity eased slightly from April and remained historically subdued.

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