Nikkei Indonesia Manufacturing PMI Improves to 51.9 in June
Good news from Indonesia's manufacturing sector. Indonesia's Nikkei manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) rose to a reading of 51.9 in June 2016, up from a reading of 50.6 points in the preceding month (a reading above 50.0 indicates expansion in manufacturing activity, while a reading below 50.0 signals contraction). The June reading of 51.9 was the highest reading since July 2014. Furthermore, the strongest expansion in Indonesia's payroll numbers in the survey's history occurred, while buying levels also rose markedly.
A report by Markit Economics, released this morning (01/07) states that business conditions improved for Indonesian manufacturers in June 2016 as order books rose. This made local manufacturers boost output and hire additional workers. This rise in employment can be regarded a signal that Indonesia's goods producers expect to see demand growing structurally in the foreseeable future (second half of 2016). Markit economist Pollyanna De Lima added that "a stronger increase in costs combined with better demand conditions is likely to lead Indonesia's goods producers to further increase their own charges in the near term.
Markit's higher manufacturing PMI in June is a relieve for investors as there occurred an unexpected stagnation in May 2016. This sudden stagnation caused some concern as Indonesia had just ended a 17-month streak of manufacturing contraction. These concerns proved in vain. In combination with expected accelerating economic growth in Indonesia, domestic demand is expected to rise accordingly.
However, external demand for Indonesia's manufactured goods decreased in June 2016, implying global demand remains subdued. Markit remarks: "nevertheless, the rate of contraction [of external orders] eased to the weakest in the current 21-month sequence of falls".