Purchasing Managers’ Indices for both Manufacturing and Services activities decreased in April 2023.
Following the seasonal pattern, Manufacturing PMI decreased to 34.7 in April 2023, indicating a month-on-month contraction in manufacturing activities. Accordingly, Production, New Orders, Employment and Stock of Purchases subindices declined during April compared to the seasonal peak in March.
Accordingly, Production, New Orders, Employment and Stock of Purchases subindices declined during April compared to the seasonal peak in March. As per the respondents, the decline in Production was primarily due to the temporary closure of most of the factories in April owing to the Sinhala and Tamil new year holidays.
Meanwhile Services sector PMI remained slightly below the neutral threshold recording an index value of 49.6 in April 2023, led by the decreases observed in New Businesses, Employment and Backlogs of Works. Nevertheless, Business Activities and Expectations for Activity continued to increase during the month.
New Businesses declined in April 2023 compared to March 2023, particularly with the decreases observed in insurance, transportation and postal and courier activities sub-sectors.