Modest expansion in manufacturing PMI in October: HSBC

NEW DELHI: India's manufacturing sector output picked up modestly during October, driven by strong demand conditions and rise in new order flows, an HSBC survey said today.

The headline HSBC India Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) -- a composite gauge designed to give a single-figure snapshot of manufacturing business conditions -- rebounded from September's nine-month low of 51.0 to 51.6 in October.

Amid reports of stronger demand, production at Indian manufacturers rose for the twelfth successive month in October. A figure above 50 indicates the sector is expanding, while a figure below that level means contraction.

"Manufacturing activity picked up modestly amid stronger output and new order flows, particularly from overseas clients," HSBC Co-Head of Asian Economic Research Frederic Neumann said.

New business also increased for the twelfth month in a row in October, largely owing to the general improvements in demand situation.

In addition, export orders received by Indian manufacturers rose in October, extending the current sequence of growth to 13 months.

However, firms continued to trim purchases and refrained from aggressive inventory accumulation, the report said.

On prices, it said that inflationary pressures remained muted in October. While input prices eased further, the improvement in growth allowed firms to raise margins by increasing output prices slightly.

"This trend could strengthen with growth, which is why the RBI will remain cautious about relaxing its grip at this juncture," Neumann said.

In the September policy review, Reserve Bank Governor Raghuram Rajan had left all key rates unchanged citing continued risks to inflation and difficult external situation, especially on the geopolitical front. This was the fourth consecutive time that the RBI kept key interest rates unaltered.

The short-term lending (repo) rate remained at eight per cent, and the cash reserve requirement of banks at four per cent.