India’s Manufacturing Sector Surges with PMI Reaching 58.6 in August 2023

India's manufacturing PMI surges to 58.6 in August

India’s manufacturing PMI for the month of August 2023 comes in at 58.6, the second highest in nearly 3 years, high from July’s level at 57.7, signifying substantial strengthening of sector’s health. PMI above 50 is a sign of expansion in activity, while below 50 indicates contraction. The Manufacturing PMI is a weighted average of five indices: New Orders (30%), Output (25%), Employment (20%), Suppliers’ Delivery Times (15%) and Stocks of Purchases (10%).

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1- Demand-Driven Growth:

A standout driver of this impressive performance has been the surge in demand. August witnessed the fastest increase in new orders since January 2021. Competitive pricing strategies and effective advertising campaigns contributed to this surge. International sales were particularly influential, with new export orders expanding for the 17th consecutive month, reaching levels not seen since November 2022.

2- Production and Purchasing Activity Soar:

In response to this healthy demand environment, Indian manufacturers significantly escalated their production levels. This marked the 26th consecutive month of output growth, reaching levels unseen in nearly 3 years. To sustain this production surge, manufacturers bolstered their raw material and semi-finished item inventories in August. Buying levels rose sharply, registering one of the fastest rates in over 12 years. These efforts were met with success, as input inventories witnessed the 2nd strongest upturn since data collection began in March 2005.

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3- Efficient Supply Chain Management:

Improvements in vendor performance have further facilitated this inventory build-up. Supplier delivery times continued to shorten for the sixth consecutive month in August, albeit marginally. This trend speaks to the efficiency and reliability of the supply chain.

4- Cost Inflation and Employment Dynamics:

However, amidst this growth, cost inflationary pressures accelerated, driven by higher fees for materials like cotton, foodstuff, rubber, steel, and machinery spare parts. On the employment front, Indian manufacturers responded to the increased new order growth by hiring both permanent and temporary staff, on both part- and full-time bases. While employment growth was slightly slower than previous months, it remained above the series trend.

Takeaway: The impressive surge from 57.7 to 58.6 signifies the sector’s second-best performance in nearly three years, propelled by a notable upturn in new orders, particularly from international markets. Production continues to rise consistently, reaching levels unseen in almost three years, supported by substantial input inventory expansion. However, cost inflation pressures have intensified, driven by increased fees for crucial materials. While employment growth remains positive, overall sentiment, albeit historically elevated, dipped slightly due to inflation concerns.

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