Trans-Tasman angst – PMI 14 May 2015 51.8April-2.8Monthly Changeexpandingslower rate Catherine Beard Director, Advocacy BusinessNZ View profile New Zealand's manufacturing sector experienced a lower level of activity in April, although still showing overall expansion, according to the latest BNZ - BusinessNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI).The seasonally adjusted PMI for April was 51.8 (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, and close to the level of expansion experienced in January. Despite the expansion dip, the sector has now been in expansion for 31 consecutive months.BusinessNZ's executive director for manufacturing Catherine Beard said that comments from respondents provided a useful picture of why the level of expansion dropped from the previous month."Although the proportion of negative comments for April (43%) did not increase by a significant proportion from March, there was a distinct pattern of respondents mentioning the current economic situation across the ditch. Some outlined the high value of the New Zealand dollar relative to the Australian, while others mentioned the general lacklustre Australian economy causing lower demand for New Zealand products."BNZ senior economist Doug Steel said "While the New Zealand dollar was high against the Australian dollar in April it has retreated rather rapidly in May. This, if sustained, should lend support to the PMI over coming months."View the Time Series Data Main Indicies Regional Results Manufacturing Snapshot Doug Steel Senior Economist, BNZ Manufacturing slows in AprilThe manufacturing sector has slowed down a touch in April, judging by the latest Performance of Manufacturing Index.Read more Aussie, Aussie, AussieThe above is not to deny that there are some headwinds for the manufacturing sector, with respondents referencing economic conditions in Australia and the NZD/AUD exchange rate as an example.Read more Primary influence on secondary productionTightening conditions in some primary sectors are also filtering through to the manufacturing sector.Read more JobsDespite the challenges noted above there is also decent economic growth occurring which the manufacturing sector is part of and is tapping into.Read more . View full BNZ Manufacturing Snapshot PMI Time Series TableThe results are seasonally adjusted. National Indicies April2014 Dec2014 Jan2015 Feb2015 Mar2015 Apr2015 BNZ - BusinessNZ PMI 55.057.151.356.554.651.8 Production55.862.047.452.655.152.2 Employment 53.449.950.952.449.851.0 New Orders55.761.050.162.655.850.4 Finished Stocks50.651.055.954.052.852.7 Deliveries55.458.053.957.854.652.2 View the Time Series Data BNZ - BusinessNZ PMI Time Series January 2018 – April 2015 International ResultsJ.P. Morgan Global Manufacturing PMITM 4 May 201551.0 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 BNZ - BusinessNZ PMI Time Series Data View seasonally adjusted and unadjusted time series data for the BNZ - BusinessNZ PMI 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 Media Comment For media comment, please contact: Catherine Beard, BusinessNZ 04 496 6560 Doug Steel, BNZ 04 474 6799 Technical Comment For more information or assistance with data interpretation, please contact: Steve Summers 04 496 6564 ssummers@businessnz.org.nz Our Contributors The BNZ - BusinessNZ PMI contains data obtained through BusinessNZ's regional organisations About the PMI The BNZ - BusinessNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index is a monthly survey of the manufacturing sector providing an early indicator of activity levels.A PMI reading above 50 points indicates manufacturing activity is expanding; below 50 indicates it is contracting.The main PMI and sub-index results are seasonally adjusted. Related Articles Blooming good – PMI Steady state – PMI Now hiring – PMI Stretching out – PMI Pumping production – PMI View more