Fra Markit – læs hele meddelelsen her:
“Although the PMI ticked higher in April, the survey remains
consistent with manufacturing acting as a drag on the economy
at the start of the second quarter, albeit with the rate of
contraction easing.
Historical comparisons indicate that the
survey’s output gauge needs to rise above 53.5 to signal growth
of factory production. As such, the data add to signs that the
economy looks set to slow after the stronger than expected start
to the year.
“Employment growth also disappointed as hiring slipped to the
lowest for nearly two years, albeit in part due to firms reporting
difficulties finding staff amid the current tight labour market.
“There was better news on the order book front, however, with
inflows of new business rising and firms signalling an improved
export performance. Unfortunately, on balance, manufacturers
seem sceptical that the rise in demand will persist, with future
expectations of output growth slumping lower in April.
“Both input cost and factory gate price inflation rates meanwhile
eased further, down to the lowest for over one and a half years,
hinting that consumer price inflation rates will have continued to
cool in April.”