By Crystal Hsu / Staff reporterThe manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) rose to 51.8 last month from 50.8 the previous month, as firms reported further order and output growth amid improving demand, a survey released by IHS Markit showed yesterday. The rate of improvement, albeit modest, was the best since August 2018 as the operating conditions facing local manufacturers brightened. “Latest PMI data showed Taiwan’s manufacturing sectors saw continued improvement in growth momentum at the start of this year amid a US-China rapprochement,” IHS Markit economist Annabel Fiddes said in a statement. In general, Taiwanese manufacturers expressed a stronger degree of optimism on the 12-month business outlook, IHS Markit said. However, the continued decline in output prices remained a concern, IHS Markit said, adding that companies are cutting selling prices despite growing operational expenses, which is unfavorable for the profit margins.

Source: Taipei Times February 03, 2020 15:56 UTC