PMI

Expansion dipped in October after gradual improvements in activity during the second half of 2009, with a seasonally adjusted PMI for October at 50.6.

Expansion across most sub-indices meant overall manufacturing expanded for the first time since April 2008, with a seasonally adjusted PMI for September at 51.7.

A lower result for both production and new orders meant activity fell back for August, with a seasonally adjusted PMI for August at 48.7.

A positive result for both production and new orders helped push manufacturing activity further out of the doldrums in July, with a seasonally adjusted PMI for July at 49.7.

Manufacturing activity continued to climb out of the depths of contraction with the highest overall activity level in nine months, with a seasonally adjusted PMI for June at 46.2.

Although manufacturing activity experienced a slightly larger decrease in activity in May, the sector generally remains in a tight band of performance since the start of the year, with a seasonally adjusted PMI for May at 42.7.

Manufacturing had its second consecutive improvement in April, although the sector continues to remain in contraction, with a seasonally adjusted PMI for April at 43.7.

Manufacturing activity was still contracting during March, with a seasonally adjusted PMI for March at 40.7.

Last month manufacturing declined to its second lowest level on record, with a seasonally adjusted PMI for February at 38.6.

Manufacturing activity got off to a poor start in 2009 with continued contraction in the sector, with a seasonally adjusted PMI for January at 42.0.