Across the eight manufacturing sub-sectors only food, beverages and tobacco (51.7 points) and the smaller wood and paper products (67.2 points) expanded in July. New orders (51.9) grew for the third consecutive month, while manufacturing employment increased by 4.7 points to 50.2 on June results.
Manufacturing resilience
Australian Industry Group Chief Executive, Innes Willox, said: "Despite very tough conditions continuing in July, the manufacturing sector showed resilience in the face of strong headwinds with its first shift into growth territory this year.
"Production, new orders and employment were all higher, providing welcome reward for manufacturers' ongoing efforts after a very disappointing first half of the calendar year. Nevertheless, respondents expressed renewed concern about the strong Australian dollar.
"The high currency is maintaining intense pressure on exporters and import-competing businesses facing weak demand and low prices for locally made products. Further, with wages and input costs continuing to edge higher, there were very few signs that manufacturers' margins are recovering sufficiently to attract much-needed investment into the sector."
Key findings for July
- The latest Australian Industry Group Australian Performance of Manufacturing Index (Australian PMI® moved into positive territory in July for the first time since October 2013, increasing 1.7 points to 50.7 (readings above 50 indicate expansion)
- The only sub sectors to expand in July were food, beverages and tobacco (broadly stable at 51.7 points) and wood and paper products (up 13 points to 67.2)
- The large metal products, machinery and equipment, and petroleum, coal, chemicals and rubber products sub-sectors all contracted this month (i.e. below 50 points)
- Four of the five activity sub-indexes were above 50 points: new orders expanded for the third consecutive month (51.9); and manufacturing employment increased by 4.7 points to 50.2, following seven months of contraction. On the negative side exports contracted, falling 3.5 points to 48.8
- Both the stocks and sales sub-indexes remained in contraction, albeit at decelerating rates
- Wages and input costs continued to grow – the average wages sub-index climbed 13.1 points to 69.6 (unadjusted)
