More Stories

Informist, Monday, Mar. 24, 2025

 

--India Mar flash composite PMI output index 58.6 vs 58.8 Feb final 

--India Mar flash services PMI activity index 57.7 vs 59.0 Feb final 

--India Mar flash manufacturing PMI 57.6 vs 56.3 Feb final 

 

NEW DELHI – India's private sector activity continued to expand at a robust pace in March, even though the output growth was moderate compared to the previous month, with the HSBC Flash India Composite Purchasing Managers' Output Index easing slightly to 58.6 from February's 58.8, according to S&P Global. The moderation in private sector activity from February was mainly because of a slower increase in services activity, while manufacturing sector activity picked up in March.

 

The flash manufacturing PMI rose to 57.6 this month from a 14-month low of 56.3 in February, while the services PMI declined to 57.7 from 59.0 last month. A PMI reading of more than 50 denotes expansion in activity from the previous month, while a print below it indicates contraction. The final PMI numbers for March will be released in the first week of April.

 

"Manufacturing was March's brighter spot, posting quicker increases in sales and output that were faster than those registered in the service economy," S&P Global said in a release. The pace of expansion for service sector firms was the second-slowest since November 2023 as firms noted an intensification of competitive pressures.

 

The increase in manufacturing PMI signalled a notable improvement in operating conditions on the back of positive demand trends, S&P Global said. The growth in new orders for manufacturing firms in March was sharp, higher than that of service providers, but slower than the rise seen in the previous month.

Indian private sector companies continued to see robust international demand in March with manufacturing companies registering a faster upturn in new businesses from abroad than their services counterparts. While new export order growth for the private sector fell to a three-month low, it remained above the average since the series started in September 2014, S&P Global said.

 

"Outstanding business volumes continued to rise, supporting another round of job creation, while price trends were mixed," S&P Global said. "Despite slowing to a six-month low, the aggregate pace of job creation was solid by historical standards. For the first time in seven months, manufacturers signalled a faster increase in headcounts than service providers."

 

Firms reported a marked rise in input costs in March, mainly because of higher outlays on copper, electronics, fruits, vegetables, leather, medical equipment, rubber and vehicle spare parts. Even as some firms sought to pass on the cost burdens to customers, competitive conditions limited the extent of increase in charge inflation. Prices charged for Indian goods and services rose at the weakest rate since February 2022.  End

 

Reported by Shubham Rana

Edited by Tanima Banerjee

 

 

For users of real-time market data terminals, Informist news is available exclusively on the NSE Cogencis WorkStation.

 

Cogencis news is now Informist news. This follows the acquisition of Cogencis Information Services Ltd by NSE Data & Analytics Ltd, a 100% subsidiary of the National Stock Exchange of India Ltd. As a part of the transaction, the news department of Cogencis has been sold to Informist Media Pvt Ltd.

 

Informist Media Tel +91 (11) 4220-1000

Send comments to feedback@informistmedia.com

 

© Informist Media Pvt. Ltd. 2025. All rights reserved.