Manufacturing activities expanded at a higher rate in September 2020, compared to August 2020.
This expansion in manufacturing PMI was mainly attributable to the increase in Production and New Orders, especially in manufacturing of food & beverages and textiles and wearing apparel sectors. Some respondents in the manufacturing of food & beverages and textiles & wearing apparel sectors highlighted that their factories operated at full capacity receiving more new orders with the normalisation of business activities. Further, the Employment sub-index increased in line with these developments.
Further, Stock of Purchases sub-index increased at a slower pace in September. The Suppliers’ Delivery Time sub-index continued to lengthen at a higher pace, due to issues in logistics such as shortage of direct shipping services.
Some respondents highlighted that the restrictions imposed on importation of some categories of goods continued to affect the smooth functioning of manufacturing activities. The sub-index of overall expectations for manufacturing activities for the next three months declined significantly due to the prevailing situation of spreading of COVID-19 virus in the country, particularly centering to some manufacturing zones.
Meanwhile the global manufacturing PMI recorded a value of 52.3 in September2020 with an increase of 0.5 index points from August2020.
Services sector continued to expand for the fourth consecutive month with PMI recording 54.3 in September 2020 compared to the previous month. This was underpinned by the expansions observed in New Businesses, Business Activities and Expectations for Activity compared to August 2020 indicating a further recovery of services sector activities.
New Businesses, particularly in financial services and insurance sub-sectors, improved in September 2020 with the gradual normalisation in economic activities.
Business Activities also expanded in September 2020, yet at a slower pace. Financial services sub-sector was the main contributor to this expansion with increased financial facilities provided to support the businesses, which were negatively affected by the pandemic.
Further, respondents in cargo handling services cited that they were able to handle more transshipment in September 2020.
Moreover, business activities related to insurance and professional services sub-sectors also expanded during the month. Employment sub-index almost reached 50-threshold level in September 2020 after a continuous decline in employment for seven months.
Meanwhile, Expectations on future Business Activities increased further in September 2020, with the positive sentiments prevailed on the recovery of economy in the second half of the year.
Meanwhile Global services PMI declined to 51.6 in September 2020 from a seven-month high of 52.0 in August 2020.
0 comments: