Andre Roux

South Africa’s purchasing managers’ index (PMI) dropped to 49,1 in May on a seasonally adjusted basis from 54,1 in April, pressured by weak new sales orders and higher production costs. The index, a measure of underlying manufacturing activity, was below the key 50 level that signals expansion.

South Africa’s Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) fell to a four-and-a-half year low of 46,4 in February, knocked by slowing demand and a crippling power shortage. The fall in the index, a measure of manufacturing activity, from 52,1 in January reflected lower new sales orders and marked the first decline below the 50 mark, which separates expansion from contraction, since 2003.

South Africa’s purchasing managers index (PMI) rebounded sharply to 56,1 in October, as robust demand pushed new sales orders up, sponsor Investec said on Thursday. The index, which measures underlying manufacturing activity, leapt from a near two-year low of 51,6 in September and snapped a two-month decline.