Autumn tinge – PMI 15 May 2014 Despite a dip, New Zealand's manufacturing sector remains in solid expansion, according to the latest BNZ - BusinessNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI).The seasonally adjusted PMI for April was 55.2 (a PMI reading above 50.0 indicates that manufacturing is generally expanding; below 50.0 that it is declining). This was 2.8 points lower than March, although similar to results experienced over the last eight months. The sector has now been in expansion for 19 consecutive months, with the first third of 2014 averaging 56.4.BusinessNZ's executive director for manufacturing Catherine Beard said although the level of expansion wasn't as strong as the previous month, activity was still healthy and positive across most of the sub-indices recorded."Comments from respondents remained more positive than negative, although a contributing factor to the lower level of expansion that came through was the lower number of working days in April because of the Easter/ANZAC break.BNZ economist Doug Steel said, "Despite what looks like a holiday-induced slowdown in April, the trends in the PMI are strong and especially so in employment. Buoyant construction and agriculture sectors look supportive on the demand side."Four of the five seasonally adjusted main diffusion indices were in expansion during April. Production (55.3), deliveries (55.3) and new orders (55.2) displayed almost identical levels of expansion, while employment (54.5) returned to levels seen in February. Finished stocks (49.3) were the only index to show any level of contraction, and returned to levels seen in February.All four regions were again in expansion during April, although differences were evident. In the North Island, the Northern region (53.0) decreased 6.2 points, while the Central region (51.3) fell 6.3 points after consecutive months above 57.0. In the South Island, the Canterbury/Westland region (50.1) only just managed to remain in positive territory, while the Otago-Southland region (57.7) dipped a further 2.1 points.Click here to view the April PMIClick here to view seasonally adjusted & unadjusted time seriesFor media comment: Catherine Beard 027 463 3212 or Doug Steel 04 474 6923 For more information or assistance with data interpretation, contact Stephen Summers, ph 04 496 6564, ssummers@businessnz.org.nz. We acknowledge the ongoing support of our sponsor The BNZ - BusinessNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI) is proudly sponsored by BNZ and draws on the depth of member companies associated with BusinessNZ: Major Sponsor Supporting Partners In this section Media Releases Commentaries Photos Back to Business Cocktail Party 2019 State of the Nation Lunch Back to Business 2020 Deloitte and Chapman Tripp Election Conference 2020 - Leaders' Address Back to Business 2021 PMI Results July ReleaseValue: 52.7Change: +2.7Status: expanding Learn more . BNZ - BusinessNZ PMI Time Series Data View seasonally adjusted and unadjusted time series data for the BNZ - BusinessNZ PMI. Related Articles On the margins – PMI Mid year blues – PMI Soldering on – PMI Slow grind – PMI Slowly does it – PMI View more Sponsor StatementBNZ is delighted to be associated with the Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI) and BusinessNZ.This association brings together the significant experience of leading business advocacy body BusinessNZ, and business finance specialist BNZ.We look forward to continuing our association with BusinessNZ and associated regional organisations, and to playing our part in the ongoing development of the New Zealand manufacturing sector. View website