Nikkei’s IHS Markit's latest surveyHanoi (VNA) - It was a positive end for the Vietnamese manufacturingsector in 2017 with the Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) risingto 52.5 in December from November’s 51.4, according to the latest surveyfrom Nikkei’s IHS Markit that released on January 2.
This is also the highest PMI in the last three months of October, November andDecember.
Nikkei evaluated that one of the factors leading to the improvement inoperating conditions was a return to production growth. The modest increase inoutput in December followed broadly unchanged production volumes in November.
Increased consumer demand also reinforced optimism that output will increase inthe next 12 months. December’s business optimism improved to a nine-month high.
A rising production demand contributed to the 21st consecutive monthly rise inemployment at Vietnamese producers. The pace of job creation was the strongestsince September.
Costs of raw materials such as oil and steel rose while prices of materialsfrom Chinese suppliers increased, leading to a sharp rise in input costs inDecember. This led to an increase in output price.
Delivery time of suppliers continued to be extended in December. Members of thesurvey team said late delivery was mainly due to the shortage of raw materials.Delivery time increased for 11 consecutive months.
Andrew Harker, associate director at IHS Markit, which compiles the survey,said "The Vietnamese manufacturing sector recorded a welcome return togrowth of output in December, supported by a solid and accelerated increase innew orders.”
"Overall, 2017 has been a positive year for the sector with the averagePMI reading the highest since the survey began in 2011. Industry in Vietnam thereforelooks to be in good shape heading into 2018," Andrew added.-VNA
VNA
