MANUFACTURING SECTOR GAINS GROUND IN APRIL

Philippine manufacturing activity rebounded in April, with the country’s manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) rising to 53 from 49.4 in March, signaling growth after a contraction.

This improvement was driven by a surge in demand, particularly new orders and output, which were bolstered by new client acquisitions and the upcoming election.

Despite the output growth, employment levels remained unchanged for the second consecutive month, as companies continued to adopt a cautious approach to expanding their workforce.

While inflationary pressures were subdued, confidence in the sector’s future output declined, with firms expressing concerns that post-election demand might not sustain the growth.

Overall, the PMI reading reflects renewed optimism for the manufacturing sector’s performance as it enters the second quarter of the year.Source: PhilNews24 | May 4, 2025