SINGAPORE: Singapore’s factory activity expanded slightly in July after five months of contractions.
The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for July came in at 50.2, up 2.2 points from the previous month, according to data released by the Singapore Institute of Purchasing and Materials Management (SIPMM) on Monday (Aug 3).
AdvertisementAdvertisementA PMI reading above 50 indicates that the manufacturing economy is generally expanding, while a reading below 50 indicates that it is generally declining.
Singapore implemented a “circuit breaker” from Apr 7 to Jun 1 to curb the spread of COVID-19. The country entered Phase 1 of its reopening on Jun 2, followed by Phase 2 on Jun 19.
July’s reading was attributed to an improvement in new orders index, a first-time expansion in the indexes of new exports and factory output, as well as a faster rate of expansion in the inventory index, said SIPMM.
[h=3]READ: National Wages Council to reconvene to update guidelines as COVID-19 hits labour market[/h] AdvertisementAdvertisementHowever, the indexes of both employment and supplier deliveries contracted at faster rates. The overall employment index for the manufacturing sector also posted contractions for six consecutive months.
“Slower contractions were recorded for the indexes of finished goods, imports, and input prices, whereas the order backlog index expanded for the first time after five months of contractions,” said SIPMM.
Ms Sophia Poh, SIPMM’s vice president of industry engagement and development, said July’s reading was a “welcome respite” for Singapore’s manufacturing sectors.
“Local manufacturers remain concerned about the growth outlook due to continued uncertainties from the pandemic controls and the trade disputes of the major economies,” she added.
“The second and third waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in the major economies continue to disrupt global supply chains and dampen global demand.”
[h=3]READ: Pratt & Whitney lays off 20% of Singapore workforce due to COVID-19[/h]The electronics sector PMI rose 1.6 points from the previous month to post a slower contraction at 49.2 - the sixth month of contraction for the sector, said SIPMM.
July’s improved reading for the electronics sector was attributed to “slower contractions in the key indexes of new orders, new exports, and factory output”, it added.
However, both electronic employment and supplier deliveries recorded faster rates of contraction.
The electronics inventory index continued to expand for the third month, whereas electronics finished goods continued to contract for the fifth month.
SIPMM added that the electronics indexes of input prices and order backlog posted expansion readings, while the electronics imports index posted a slower rate of contraction.
Let's block ads! (Why?)
More...