Australia - Sentimiento Industrial

The Commonwealth Bank Manufacturing PMI in Australia fell to 49.4 in December 2019 from 49.9 in the previous month and against market expectations of 50.4, a preliminary figure showed. The reading pointed to the second straight contraction in factory activity, as the decline in output was the fastest in 44 months and the reduction in new orders was also sharper, despite an improvement in exports. Meantime, employment fell slightly, after two consecutive months of job creation while backlogs of work decreased at a solid pace amid lower new orders. At the same time, suppliers' lead times lengthened markedly, the most in ten months, partly linked to bush fires which disrupted deliveries. In terms of prices, input inflation softened.

The Commonwealth Bank Manufacturing PMI in Australia fell to 49.9 in December 2019 from 50 in the previous month, matching a preliminary estimate and market expectations. The reading pointed to the first contraction in factory activity since series began in over three-and-a-half years, as new orders dropped at the steepest pace on record and output went down for the third consecutive month. Backlogs of work declined for the fifth straight month and the job creation rate slowed. On the price front, input prices rose at a solid pace mostly driven by a weak exchange rate and higher costs for raw materials in particular food, paper and wool; and output cost inflation accelerated to a four-month high. Lastly, sentiment deteriorated to a near three-and-a-half year low due to economic conditions, a slowing housing market and worsening drought-related disruptions.

The Commonwealth Bank Manufacturing PMI in Australia edged down to 49.9 in November 2019 from 50.0 in the previous month and compared to market expectations of 49.8, preliminary data showed. The latest reading pointed to the first contraction in factory activity since series began in over three-and-a-half years, as output dropped for the third consecutive month and new orders declined at the sharpest pace on record amid a renewed decrease in new exports orders. Also, the job creation rate slowed slightly. Looking ahead, business sentiment went down to a 41-month low.

The Commonwealth Bank Manufacturing PMI in Australia edged down to 50.0 in October 2019 from 50.3 in the previous month and compared to a preliminary reading and market expectations of 50.1, final data showed. It was the lowest reading in the three-and-a-half year series history, with declines reported in both production and new orders. In contrast, employment rose in October after declining in September. On the price front, input inflation intensified, but charges rose only modestly. Looking ahead, business sentiment remained below the historical average.

The Commonwealth Bank Manufacturing PMI in Australia edged down to 50.1 in October 2019 from 50.3 in the previous month, but beating market expectations of 49, preliminary data showed. The latest reading pointed to the slowest expansion in factory activity in the three-and-a-half year series history, as new orders decreased for the first time since series began due to weak market demand. Also, purchasing activity and inventories of both pre and post´production items dropped. Meanwhile, the job creation rate rose. On the price front, input costs advanced at the fastest pace in 11 months, mainly due to currency weakness.

The Commonwealth Bank Manufacturing PMI in Australia dropped to 50.3 in September 2019 from 50.9 in the previous month, but stood above the preliminary estimate of 49.4. New orders growth reached a survey-record low in September despite a further expansion in new export sales. Meanwhile, the rate of decline in output was the fastest since the survey began nearly three-and-a-half years ago. Also, employment fell for the third time in the year. On the price front, output price inflation was the weakest for nearly two years, while input cost inflation eased from August. Looking ahead business expectations fell to the lowest for four months, but firms expect output to rise in 12 months’ time.