Financial services firm Absa’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) declined to 46.8 in July, from 47.3 points in the prior month. While this reading suggests a weak start to the third quarter, the headline decline arguably overstates the weakness in underlying manufacturing conditions, as domestic demand improved and lifted new sales orders, Absa comments.

Factory purchasing managers wary of cost pressures despite easing oil shock

Financial services firm Absa’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) declined to 46.8 in July, from 47.3 points in the prior month. While this reading suggests a weak start to the…